Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), through the Centre for Excellence of Lesson and Learning Studies (CELLS), successfully hosted the CAMPUS Asia + START 2026 Short-term Program in Southeast Asia under the theme “Advancing Inclusive, Peaceful Communities through Intercultural and Interfaith Learning.” The program brought together students, academic representatives, facilitators, and the UPI organizing committee in a collaborative learning environment that centred on intercultural understanding, interfaith dialogue, and inclusive citizenship.
Coordinated at UPI by Arif Hidayat, M.Si., PhD Ed., the program reflected a strong institutional commitment to academic collaboration across borders. The opening session was led by Prof. Dr. Ida Kaniawati, M.Si., Director of DIHS, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, who emphasized the value of international academic cooperation in nurturing globally engaged and socially responsible young people.
Intercultural Learning and SDG Alignment
One of the defining strengths of the program was its clear alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Through lectures, discussions, reflection sessions, and immersive experiences, the program promoted education that moved beyond disciplinary knowledge and encouraged intercultural literacy, empathy, and respect for diversity.
The academic sessions translated these values into lived learning experiences. Classroom discussions on the history of religion, multicultural practices, and multi-religious society helped participants develop a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion. Dialogues among participants from different national, disciplinary, and religious backgrounds further strengthened mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence.
Field Visits Across Faith, Culture, and Science
The field visits deepened the program’s intercultural and interfaith learning orientation. Participants visited Vihara Vipassana Graha, Saung Angklung Udjo, Kampung Adat Cireundeu, Pura Agung Wira Loka Natha, Bosscha Observatory, Al-Irsyad Satya Islamic School, Imahnoong Backyard Observatory and Mushollatorium, and Al-Jabbar Mosque. These visits allowed participants to observe how religion, culture, science, heritage, and education interact within Indonesian society.
Through these experiences, participants explored living traditions, local wisdom, educational practices, and scientific institutions in ways that supported both cultural understanding and reflective inquiry. The combination of lectures and site visits made the program not merely an exchange activity, but a meaningful educational platform for building inclusive and peaceful communities across Asia.
A Meaningful Regional Academic Exchange
Overall, CAMPUS Asia + START 2026 at UPI demonstrated how regional academic mobility can become a meaningful vehicle for the Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating intercultural dialogue, experiential learning, heritage engagement, and reflective inquiry, the program cultivated not only international exposure but also deeper ethical awareness, empathy, and collaborative competence among participants.
The program involved CAMPUS Asia representatives from Hiroshima University, student participants from Hiroshima University and Beijing Normal University, the UPI student committee, and resource persons from UPI. It stands as a strong example of how universities can contribute to the formation of future leaders who are prepared to sustain peace, reduce inequalities, and strengthen inclusive communities in Asia and beyond.
The appendix below contains the program participants, the UPI organizing committee, and the resource persons/facilitators.
Appendix: Program Participants
Names and affiliations adapted from the program book.
Participants from Hiroshima University
| No | Photo | Name | School / Faculty | University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Egawa Takumi | School of Education | Hiroshima University |
| 2 |  | Fujimoto Sayaka | School of Law | Hiroshima University |
| 3 |  | Hara Itsuki | School of Education | Hiroshima University |
| 4 |  | Hata Goku | School of Engineering | Hiroshima University |
| 5 |  | Ikegami Ryoga | School of Law | Hiroshima University |
| 6 |  | Kaneko Aya | School of Science | Hiroshima University |
| 7 |  | Kawase Shiho | School of Law | Hiroshima University |
| 8 |  | Kotani Tsumugi | School of Education | Hiroshima University |
| 9 |  | Maeda Taiyo | School of Engineering | Hiroshima University |
| 10 |  | Makino Keito | School of Engineering | Hiroshima University |
| 11 |  | Mitsuda Yuna | School of Integrated Arts and Sciences | Hiroshima University |
| 12 |  | Miyahira Hinata | School of Education | Hiroshima University |
| 13 |  | Mizuno Takumi | School of Applied Biological Science | Hiroshima University |
| 14 |  | Nagata Hiroto | School of Economics | Hiroshima University |
| 15 |  | Ohata Shunki | School of Law | Hiroshima University |
| 16 |  | Shoji Yukino | School of Integrated Arts and Sciences | Hiroshima University |
| 17 |  | Yasuhara Miyu | School of Education | Hiroshima University |
Participants from Beijing Normal University
| No | Photo | Name | Faculty | University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Liu Yuchi | Faculty of Education | Beijing Normal University |
| 2 |  | Tang Aibin | Faculty of Geographical Science | Beijing Normal University |
| 3 |  | Wang Jiaming | Faculty of Education | Beijing Normal University |
| 4 |  | Wang Yimin | Faculty of Education | Beijing Normal University |
Appendix: UPI Organizing Committee
Committee names and roles based on the program book.
| No | Photo | Name | Role | Affiliation / Study Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Arif Hidayat, M.Si., PhD Ed. | UPI CAMPUS Asia Coordinator | Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia |
| 2 |  | Ana Fatimatuzzahra, M.Pd. | Head of the Committee | Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia |
| 3 |  | Putra Habib Dhitareka, M.Pd. | General Treasurer | Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia |
| 4 |  | Selly Nuraprillia | Students Committee: Students Coordinator | Educational Administration, 2022 |
| 5 |  | Inayah Alawiyyah | Students Committee: Event Coordinator | Family Welfare Education, 2023 |
| 6 |  | Dhea Ramadhani Salim | Students Committee: Event Treasurer | Economic Education, 2023 |
| 7 |  | Nadiya Mumtaz | Students Committee: Secretary and Public Relation | Special Education, 2024 |
| 8 |  | Rasya Azlina Hastarini | Students Committee: Secretary and Public Relation | Educational Administration, 2023 |
| 9 |  | Annisa Tazkiya Muenchenia Moelyadi | Students Committee: Design Team | Nutritional Science, 2022 |
| 10 |  | Euis Trisni Sulistyowati | Students Committee: Design Team | Biology Education, 2022 |
| 11 |  | Gabriel Iyas | Students Committee: Design Team and Logistics | Computer Engineering, 2022 |
| 12 |  | Virgifan Afandi Yanto | Students Committee: Logistics and MC | Special Education, 2023 |
| 13 |  | Bintang Akalla Junjunan | IT Admin | Physics, 2023 |
Appendix: Resource Persons and Facilitators
Academic representatives, coordinators, and speakers involved in the program.
| No | Photo | Name | Role | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Arif Hidayat, M.Si., PhD Ed. | Resource Person | Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia |
| 2 |  | Putra Habib Dhitareka, M.Pd. | Resource Person | Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia |
| 3 |  | Ana Fatimatuzzahra, M.Pd. | Resource Person | Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia |
| 4 |  | Prof. Noriko Yamane, PhDCAMPUS Asia Representative | Academic Supervisor of the CAMPUS Asia + START Short-Term Program | Hiroshima University |
| 5 |  | Mako MatsumotoCAMPUS Asia Representative | International Office Staff and Program Coordinator | Hiroshima University |