Thirty years after its foundational network connections were first established, the SOI Asia community gathered at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, for the 61st SOI Asia Meeting and 30th Anniversary Conference from 31 August to 2 September 2026. Returning to the historic site where its foundational partnerships were laid, representatives from 31 partner institutions across the Asia-Pacific region reflected on three decades of pioneering work in regional connectivity, collaborative education, and cross-border research, while also looking ahead to the future and discussing how the community can continue to evolve and contribute in the decades to come.

The three-day event provided a platform to assess the community’s core strengths—specifically its human network, long-term trust, and grassroots collaboration across generations. Key discussions highlighted how open platforms and shared infrastructure can empower future generations, bridge educational gaps, and translate research into practical solutions for pressing regional challenges.

A major milestone of the gathering was the official signing of the 2026 Bandung Declaration. Evolving from earlier commitments in 2006 and 2016, the new declaration reaffirms the community’s collective mission: “to contribute to the design of a global resilient society through collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.” The conference also marked the expansion of the network, welcoming a new partnership with the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) and introducing the "SOI Pacific" initiative to extend reach across the Pacific.

Looking ahead to the next 30 years, panel sessions featuring leaders from partner universities and research institutions discussed critical emerging issues, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education, open science, microcredentials, and societal resilience. As former participants and alumni returned as active contributors, the Bandung gathering underscored that SOI Asia’s most enduring asset remains its vibrant, evolving community—dedicated to supporting one another and tackling global challenges together.

For further information, please refer to the following link.

Press Release (Full):
https://www.soi.asia/looking-towards-the-next-30-years-soi-asia-returns-to-bandung/