BANDUNG, UNIKOM – Thursday, June 4, 2026. The Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) once again demonstrates its commitment to strengthening global academic networks by hosting The 9th International Conference on Business, Economics, Social Sciences & Humanities (ICOBEST) 2026, held at the 17th-floor Auditorium of the UNIKOM Smart Building. The event serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas, research findings, and the strengthening of international collaboration in the fields of business, economics, social sciences, and the humanities. ICOBEST 2026 was attended by academics, researchers, practitioners, and students from various countries and UNIKOM’s partner institutions, who participated both in-person and online from various nations and institutions.
The Director of International Program UNIKOM and Chair of the ICOBEST 2026 Organizing Committee, Dr. Senny Luckyardi, S.P., M.M., stated in his opening remarks that ICOBEST is one of the annual international conferences organized by UNIKOM as part of its regular annual international conference series. According to him, preparations for hosting ICOBEST 2026 began a year prior, encompassing the selection of a publisher, the invitation of keynote speakers, and various other technical preparations. Dr. Senny also explained that the conference aims to enhance scientific publications, foster a spirit of research, and expand international collaboration. “This year, ICOBEST features keynote speakers from various countries, including South Africa, Croatia, Romania, and Indonesia. One of the speakers is from the University of Johannesburg, which is recognized as one of the world’s leading universities”, she stated.
Furthermore, Dr. Senny emphasized that this event has a positive impact on higher education institutions, particularly UNIKOM, as it serves as a platform for academics, industry partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government representatives to share knowledge and research findings that can be implemented in the industrial sector. He also explained that the theme “Sustainability” was chosen because it is a global issue highly relevant to the various challenges faced by society today, and it is hoped that it will provide tangible contributions through the research findings presented at the conference.
Furthermore, the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at UNIKOM, Prof. Dr. Hj. Dewi Kurniasih, S.IP., M.Si., in her opening remarks, expressed gratitude and honor for the holding of ICOBEST 2026. Prof. Dewi emphasized that this conference serves as a vital academic forum for addressing various global challenges through the promotion of innovation, the enhancement of well-being, and inclusive development. In her view, cross-national and interdisciplinary collaboration is key to tackling global issues such as digital transformation, environmental concerns, social welfare, and the increasingly complex challenges of global development. On this occasion, Prof. Dewi also expressed her appreciation to the keynote speakers and participants from various countries who have participated in this conference. At the end of her remarks, Prof. Dewi officially opened The 9th International Conference on Business, Economics, Social Sciences, and Humanities (ICOBEST) 2026.
Meanwhile, during an interview, the Rector of UNIKOM, Prof. 3 Prof. HC. Dr. Ir. Eddy Soeryanto Soegoto, M.T., stated that 2026 marks the 9th iteration of ICOBEST. Prof. Eddy expressed his pride and appreciation for the successful hosting of the conference, which brought together academics, researchers, and university representatives from various countries. In his view, the presence of international keynote speakers serves as a crucial added value in driving the advancement of science and technology. Prof. Eddy hopes that ICOBEST will continue to serve as a strategic platform for faculty members and students to conduct scientific research, publish academic works, and expand global collaboration networks. “Through this conference, the research findings presented are expected to make a positive contribution to enhancing academic quality, advancing scientific knowledge, and fostering broader societal progress,” concluded Prof. Eddy.
The event then continued with a plenary session of the conference, moderated by Ms. Abigail Van Stryker, M.A., from Australia, and featuring a number of keynote speakers from various world-renowned universities. Speakers present in person included Assoc. Prof. Florian Andrei Vlad from Ovidius University of Constanta, Romania; Prof. dr. sc. Nebojša Stojčić from the University of Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Andrias Darmayadi, Ph.D., from UNIKOM. The three presented various studies and perspectives on the development of science, economics, and society, as well as the global dynamics currently influencing the international community. Additionally, the plenary session featured international speakers via video conference: Assoc. Prof. Oana-Celia Gheorghiu, Ph.D., from the University of Galați, Romania, and Prof. Daniel Meyer from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The presence of these academics further enriched the scientific discussion and broadened participants’ perspectives on various global issues and developments in the fields of business, economics, social sciences, and the humanities.
Following the presentation of materials and discussions with the keynote speakers, the event continued with a Q&A session, providing participants the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with the speakers. The participants’ enthusiasm was evident through the various questions and responses shared during the scientific discussion session. The event then proceeded with parallel sessions, serving as a platform for researchers to present their research findings within their respective academic fields.
Through the ICOBEST 2026 event, UNIKOM reaffirmed its role as a university actively promoting the internationalization of higher education and the development of a research-based academic culture. This conference is expected to generate ideas, recommendations, and collaborative networks that make tangible contributions to the advancement of science and the development of society at both the national and global levels. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
