Yogyakarta — The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY), in collaboration with Universitas Pasundan (UNPAS), held the International Conference on Multi-dimensional Governance and Educational Transformation (ICMGET) 2026 on Friday, August 28, 2026. Under the theme “Navigating the Triple Transition toward a Sustainable Post-Digital Future,” the international conference served as an academic forum bringing together diverse perspectives on governance, education, technology, and sustainable development.

Held in a blended format, ICMGET 2026 featured both online and onsite activities. The onsite sessions took place at SPs UNY, in the Auditorium and Theater Room on the third floor of the Sugeng Mardiyono Building. The conference brought together academics, researchers, lecturers, students, and practitioners from various institutions to exchange ideas and discuss strategic issues related to developments in education and governance amid global change.

The conference theme was explored through three main areas: Digital Transformation, Green Governance & Sustainability, and Educational Equity & Human Development. These themes represent three dimensions of change that are increasingly interconnected in academic and social life. They also provide a platform for discussing how educational institutions can respond to technological developments, sustainability demands, and the need for more inclusive human development.

The conference was officially opened by Prof. Nur Hidayanto Pancoro Setyo Putro, M.Pd., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at UNY. The opening ceremony was also attended by members of UNY’s leadership. Representing SPs UNY were Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO., Director of SPs UNY; Prof. Dr. Dyah Kumalasari, M.Pd., Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Research, and Cooperation (AKRK); and Prof. Dr. Yudanto, M.Pd., Deputy Director for Planning, General Affairs, and Finance (PUK).

Representing Universitas Pasundan were Prof. Dr. Azhar Affandi, S.E., M.Sc., Rector of UNPAS, along with Prof. Dr. Bambang Heru Purwanto, M.S., Director of the UNPAS Graduate School; Prof. Dr. Yaya Mulyana Abdul Aziz, M.Si., Deputy Director I for Academic Affairs; Prof. Dr. Atang Hermawan, S.E., MSIE., Ak., Deputy Director II for Finance and Human Resources; and Prof. Dr. H. Horas Djulius, S.E.

Academic partners from several other higher education institutions also attended, including Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (UNDIKSHA) and Universitas Nurul Huda (UNUHA). UNDIKSHA was represented by Prof. Dr. Ketut Suma, M.S., Deputy Director II. UNUHA was represented by Mukhamad Fathoni, M.Pd.I., Rector of UNUHA; Dedy Mardiansyah, M.Pd., Deputy Chair of the Nurul Huda Islamic Boarding School Foundation; and Dr. Ade Rosad, M.Pd., Vice Rector IV.

Bringing Together Academic Perspectives from Different Countries

One of ICMGET 2026’s key strengths was the participation of academics from several countries as speakers. Contributions from Pakistan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia enriched discussions on educational change, governance, and human development in a global context.

Pakistan was represented by Prof. Dr. Khurram Shabbir, Tenured Professor of Mathematics and Director General of the Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences at Government College University Lahore. From the Philippines, the conference welcomed Prof. Dr. Norberto Paranga, Jr., Ph.D., D.Hum., D.Litt., Dean of the Graduate School at The Master's Theological Seminary International.

The Malaysian perspective was presented by Prof. Dr. Nor Balkish Binti Zakaria of the Accounting Research Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Prof. Dr. Raja Nor Safinas Binti Raja Harun of the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Indonesia was represented by Prof. Dr. H. Horas Djulius, S.E., from the Graduate Program at Universitas Pasundan, and Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO., Director of SPs UNY.

The speakers’ diverse backgrounds gave participants the opportunity to explore educational transformation and governance from broader perspectives. This cross-border exchange of ideas also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in responding to technological change, sustainability agendas, and challenges in achieving equitable access to education.

Paper and Poster Presentations across 13 Parallel Sessions

ICMGET 2026 provided participants with opportunities to disseminate their ideas and research findings through two formats: paper presentations and poster presentations. A total of 10 poster presenters participated in the conference, while paper presentations were delivered in parallel sessions across 13 rooms.

The parallel-session format enabled more focused discussions aligned with participants’ research fields and themes. Through these sessions, participants had opportunities not only to present their research findings but also to engage in academic discussions, receive feedback, and build networks with academics and researchers from various institutions.

To recognize the quality of participants’ work and contributions, ICMGET 2026 presented awards in several categories: Best Paper, Best Oral Presenter, Best Poster, Best Paper Presenter, Best Online Participant, and Best Onsite Participant. These awards reflected the conference’s commitment to recognizing scholarly quality, presentation skills, and active participation.

Strengthening Academic Collaboration for the Future

The organization of ICMGET 2026 formed part of UNY and UNPAS’s efforts to expand opportunities for international academic collaboration. The theme “Navigating the Triple Transition toward a Sustainable Post-Digital Future” positioned the conference not merely as a forum for research dissemination but also as a space to examine the changes that may shape the future of education and society.

Discussions on digital transformation, green governance and sustainability, and educational equity and human development encouraged more integrated perspectives on the complexity of global change. Collaboration across universities and national borders remains an important foundation for developing ideas and solutions relevant to these challenges.

In addition to facilitating knowledge exchange, the conference produced an ISBN-registered proceedings publication as one of its academic outputs. This ensures that the ideas and research findings presented at ICMGET 2026 are documented and can contribute to broader academic discourse.

Through ICMGET 2026, SPs UNY and UNPAS reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global academic networks and creating collaborative spaces that bring together diverse disciplinary perspectives. The conference is expected to serve as a stepping stone toward broader cooperation in research, publication, education, and human resource development to help build a sustainable and equitable post-digital future.