Bandung, 10 Februari 2026 — Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) strengthened its international cultural partnership with Goethe Institut Indonesien through the event “Growing Cultural Futures Together: MoU Signing and Panel Discussion,” held at Goethe Institut Bandung. This initiative was supported and represented by Prof. Dr. Agus Setiabudi, M.A., Vice Rector for Research, Community Outreach, and Partnerships, Pupung Purnawarman, M.Sc.Ed., Ph.D., the Director of the Directorate of Partnership and International Affairs (DPIA) UPI as part of the university’s strategic effort to expand global collaboration in the fields of culture, education, and creative industry.
DPIA shared that the collaboration was initiated by the Faculty of Art and Design Education (FPSD) at UPI and the Goethe-Institut Indonesien to explore and develop partnerships in the arts and innovation. The Goethe Institut is widely recognized for its programmes that focus on the art field, including Goethe x Wacken, Aniwayang, and live coding projects that integrate programming and music as a form of contemporary creativity. This shared interest in advancing art provided a strong foundation for further partnership.
During the event, UPI, together with five universities in Bandung, expressed a collective commitment to strengthen collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Indonesien. FPSD UPI specifically reaffirmed their intention to expand cooperation and commitment with Goethe Institut Indonesien, and prospective German partners with Goethe Institut through continued facilitation and coordination by DPIA UPI.
The event marked the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between UPI and the Goethe-Institut, attended and symbolized by the Vice Rector for Research, Community Outreach, and Partnership, Prof. Dr. Agus Setiabudi, M.Si., and the Director of the Goethe-Institut Indonesien, Ms. Constanze Michel. The agreement aims to expand collaboration in the field of culture, education, and creative industries.
This event concluded with a panel discussion titled “Culture in an Age of Uncertainty: The Role of Universities, Cultural Institutions, and International Cooperation Today,” which discussed the importance of cultural exchange, critical thinking, and international collaboration in responding to global challenges. Through this collaboration, all parties believe we can integrate theory and practice to create a reliable foundation for this ecosystem of creativity.
Writer: Nida Zahra Salsabila & Rifda Ferry Risnifa
Documentation: Rifda Ferry Risnifa
Editor: Intan Pratidina Dewi