The Faculty of Education at the International Islamic University of Indonesia held its 3rd Graduate Forum on May 3–4, 2026. This event served as a platform for Indonesian and international students in the Faculty of Education to present one of the research outcomes they had produced during their studies at UIII.

However, this event was not merely a presentation stage but also a space for every student to network with students from various cohorts, including both PhD and Master’s programs. One of the FoE lecturers serving as a coordinator for this year’s Graduate Forum is Ibu Afifah Muharikah, PhD. Additionally, this event is a collaboration between the 3rd PhD cohort and Master’s students who are members of Estudia, the student association of the Faculty of Education at UIII.

The theme of this Graduate Forum is “Inclusive Futures: Equity, Access, and Belonging in Education.” This message also serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusive education for everyone, regardless of their background. Everyone has the right to equal access to education. Therefore, this issue was addressed through various research contributions, organized into presentation panels with sub-themes including Education and Society, Educational Policy, Management and Leadership, Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, as well as Educational Assessment and Evaluation.

Prior to the panel sessions, the event also featured Keynote Speakers from diverse backgrounds. On the first day, Dr. Jumana Hazim ElSamna shared her knowledge, insights, and experiences on Academia and Resilience, with her discussion focusing on Education and Resilience in Times of Crisis. She is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Islamic Studies at UIII and hails from Palestine.

Additionally, the next speaker was Soeharto, PhD, a researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), who discussed “Productivity and Academia” while addressing how to maximize research productivity with integrity.

On the second day, the keynote session featured an insider from the Bahá’í Community, dr. Nasrin Astani, who shared insights on Inclusive Education and Minority Faiths from the Bahá’í Community’s perspective on equity, access, and belonging in diverse contexts.

The event also featured a young scholar from Australia, Dr. Anthony Paulo Sunjaya, a senior lecturer at The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. Dr. Anthony’s session was conducted using a hybrid approach, with discussions focusing on academic writing and the academic world, specifically addressing research productivity, collaboration, and academic growth.

This event also served as a platform for students to foster an academic culture that encourages critical reflection and intellectual rigor, as well as a space for continuous learning. Furthermore, as emphasized by Assoc. Prof. Bambang Suminto, PhD, ethics, transparency, and accountability among researchers are the foundation for producing high-quality research. Especially since this research aims to bring positive impacts to Indonesia.

Similarly, as stated by Assoc. Prof. Tati D. Wardi, PhD, Head of the Master’s Program, the Graduate Forum reflects an important aspect of our Faculty’s academic cultural, serving as more than just a venue for presenting research; it embodies a commitment to building a community of scholars who are willing to engage critically, learn from one another, and contribute thoughtfully to educational conversations within and beyond their own areas of specialization.

Citing Prof. Nina Nurmila, PhD: “Every positive action, no matter how small, contributes to meaningful changes” serves as a reminder that every action is valuable, and every effort is part of a meaningful journey in the future. Similarly, the holding of this Graduate Forum brings hope to the educational world, inspiring change through every step and initiative.

source: https://uiii.ac.id/graduate-forum-2026-highlights-equity-access-and-belonging-in-education/