Beyond Handshakes: How UNS @ Bali is Reshaping Higher Education Partnerships

Bali, Indonesia – Against the stunning backdrop of Bali’s paradise landscapes, something remarkable unfolded last week that could reshape the future of higher education globally. The AppliedHE Xchange: UNS @ Bali 2025 wasn’t just another academic conference with lofty speeches and forgotten handshakes – it was a powerhouse gathering that produced 21 concrete partnerships and a bold new vision for how universities can actually prepare graduates for tomorrow’s world.

Breaking the Academic Conference Mold

“Enough talk. It’s time for action,” declared Mandy Mok , the dynamic Founder & CEO of AppliedHE , setting a refreshingly direct tone that resonated throughout the InterContinental Bali Resort’s conference halls. Her opening address cut through typical academic rhetoric, challenging institutions to stop merely discussing change and start implementing it.

What followed was something rarely seen at educational summits – universities signing agreements with clear deliverables rather than vague promises. The historic signing of 21 Memorandums of Understanding between UNS and institutions spanning Southeast Asia and beyond wasn’t just ceremonial pageantry. Each MOU outlined specific initiatives for research collaboration, student exchanges, and industry partnerships with measurable outcomes.

When Thought Leaders Get Practical

The summit featured heavyweight intellectual firepower that delivered substance over style. Professor Kevin Downing from City University of Hong Kong didn’t just theorize about academia-industry gaps – he provided a blueprint for reimagining university curricula that had attendees furiously taking notes.

“Universities must stop preparing graduates for yesterday’s jobs,” Downing asserted, challenging the traditional academic mindset with practical strategies for curriculum overhaul that several institutions committed to implementing immediately.

In a standout workshop that had participants engaged rather than scrolling through emails, Dary Milani and Zeba Salman transformed how universities view their alumni networks. Their session revealed how these often-overlooked resources can become powerful engines for international growth, with practical techniques that attendees could implement without massive budgets or bureaucratic overhauls.

The Partnerships That Matter

While many educational gatherings produce more photographs than outcomes, the partnerships forged at UNS Bali tell a different story. The diversity of UNS’s new collaborators – from Malaysia’s innovation-focused Sunway University to South Africa’s community-oriented Walter Sisulu University – reflects a strategic approach to global networking rather than collecting partnerships like trophies.

These agreements transcend continental boundaries, connecting Indonesian education to a global knowledge ecosystem through institutions including:

• Sunway University (Malaysia)
• Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (Philippines)
• Adamson University (Philippines)
• Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (Philippines)
• Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU / APIIT) (Malaysia)
• University College of Yayasan Pahang (Malaysia)
• Jesselton University College (Malaysia)
• Pangasinan State University (Philippines)
• President University (Indonesia)
• Politeknik Negeri Malang (Indonesia)
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (Indonesia)
• Universitas Langlangbuana (Indonesia)
• Universitas PGRI Semarang (Indonesia)
• Institut Teknologi Nasional (ITENAS) (Indonesia)
• Universitas Ngurah Rai (Bali, Indonesia)
• Institut Teknologi dan Bisnis Muhammadiyah Bali (Indonesia)
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (Indonesia)
• Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng (Indonesia)
• Walter Sisulu University (WSU) (South Africa)
• Trisakti Institute of Transportation and Logistics (ITL Trisakti) (Indonesia)
• Bank BJB (BJB)

Even financial sector integration emerged, with Bank BJB joining the list of partners to strengthen the crucial finance-education connection.

Rethinking Graduate Success

The summit reached its intellectual crescendo with Professor Sibrand Poppema’s closing keynote that challenged conventional thinking about university rankings and graduate success. The Sunway University President’s presentation on integrating knowledge, skills, values, and mindset offered a refreshing alternative to rankings-obsessed institutional strategies.

“Rankings should be a byproduct of excellence, not the target,” Poppema argued, reshaping how attendees viewed institutional success metrics. His framework for developing graduates with both technical prowess and adaptive mindsets provided a fitting conclusion to an event focused on practical outcomes rather than academic posturing.

Beyond Bali: The Real Work Begins

As the tropical breezes of Bali fade into memory for returning delegates, the real test of the summit’s impact lies ahead. Unlike typical conferences where enthusiasm dissipates faster than complimentary hotel toiletries, AppliedHE Xchange has established accountability mechanisms to ensure commitments translate into action.

The partnerships formed during these pivotal days in Bali represent not just institutional connections but pathways to opportunities for thousands of students and researchers across multiple countries. With concrete next steps already scheduled for many participants, the momentum from UNS Bali promises to catalyze innovation throughout the higher education landscape.

For institutions that missed this landmark gathering, the message is clear: the future of higher education belongs to those willing to move beyond traditional approaches and embrace purposeful action. As one university leader remarked during the closing session, “We came expecting conversations. We’re leaving with collaborations.”

Stay connected with Xtra! Xtra! as we track the outcomes of these groundbreaking partnerships and bring you continuing coverage of innovations reshaping the global higher education landscape.