Yogyakarta, July 7, 2025 – A total of 40 female students from Universitas Gadjah Mada participated in an international training program titled “2025 Sookmyung UNESCO-UNITWIN Digital and Entrepreneurship Training,” which was held online from June 24 to July 7, 2025. This program is a collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Asia Pacific Women’s Information Network Center (APWINC), Sookmyung Women’s University, South Korea. The main focus of the program is women’s empowerment through digital education, entrepreneurship, and transformative leadership.
The training was divided into two tracks: the Digital Track and the Entrepreneurship Track, with 20 female students participating in each. The participants came from various faculties and vocational schools at UGM. Over the course of two weeks, they received intensive training on digital transformation, entrepreneurial skill development, and inclusive leadership relevant to today’s global challenges.
Participants received instruction directly from international lecturers and practitioners, including Dr. Jin Won Choi and Dr. Joon Hye Han from Sookmyung Women’s University. They also took part in a capstone project session, where they were challenged to design digital solutions to real-world community problems using a cross-country collaboration approach.
In the final session, 10 participant groups presented their digital entrepreneurship ideas. From these presentations, two groups consisting of 8 students were selected as the winners. Furthermore, an exciting announcement was made: eight outstanding students from UGM will travel to South Korea in November 2025 to participate in an international workshop and hackathon alongside students from other countries.
In her remarks, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA., Vice Rector for Education and Teaching at UGM, stated that the program reflects UGM’s commitment to shaping future leaders:
“This program is a tangible form of UGM’s commitment to encouraging students—especially women—to emerge as transformational leaders capable of addressing the challenges of the digital era. We aim to open spaces for global collaboration and dialogue so that our students can grow as agents of change.”
UGM’s participation in this program aligns with the university’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). This initiative not only enhances global, off-campus learning experiences but also provides a real platform for UGM students to expand their international networks and create a positive impact in society.