2026 – Regional Meeting Bandung
Van Deventer-Maas Indonesia (VDMI) held Regional Meeting Bandung from June 30 to July 2, 2026. Convened at Ruang Serba Guna, Universitas Padjadjaran (Gedung 2, 4th Floor, Dipatiukur Campus, Bandung), the event centered around the pivotal theme, “Know Yourself – Selling Yourself.” This intensive seminar brought together 66 grantees from Padjadjaran University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and IPB University. The regional meeting aimed to shape the grantees’ character, enabling them to discover their true identity, assess their strengths, and transform future challenges into remarkable opportunities.
In her opening remarks, the Director of Academic and Student Affairs of Padjadjaran University, Prof. Dr. Aliya Nur Hasanah, S.Si., Apt., M.Si., conveyed the Rector’s deep appreciation alongside apologies for being unable to attend the VDMI event. She emphasized that the forum is far more than a mere gathering; it is a strategic platform for grantees from various universities to learn from one another, reflect deeply, and build lifelong networks. In facing an ever-changing era, Prof. Aliya reminded everyone that academic excellence alone is no longer enough without the support of strong soft skills to identify personal potential, set future goals, and contribute to society. Closing her speech, she underscored that the chosen grantees are high-potential assets who must responsibly honor the trust placed in them through this scholarship. She invited all participants to maximize the momentum of these three days to build genuine friendships, uplift one another in a warm family atmosphere, and grow into intelligent, caring individuals who drive positive impact for their communities.
The first day started with the thought-provoking topic, “The Role of Intellects as Future Leaders,” delivered by Prof. Jenny Suminar. Drawing inspiration from Mohammad Hatta’s historic 1966 quote on the Moral Responsibility of the Intelligentsia, participants were reminded that as educated individuals, they bear a significant moral weight to open society’s eyes and must never remain silent in the face of injustice. Prof. Jenny emphasized the vital role of active student engagement in responding to Indonesia’s current dynamics, noting that high academic achievements must be paired with sharp social awareness and robust soft skills. This critical mindset was immediately put to the test during a cross-disciplinary group discussion where grantees were challenged to dissect and present concrete solutions for eight national strategic issues, ranging from Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program and food security to the nation’s current economic landscape.
On the second day, shifted focus toward student mental health and stress management with the session titled “Thrive Under Pressure.” The workshop was facilitated by a team of professional psychologists, Hari Setyowibowo, Ph.D., Psikolog, and Sitha Koosdina Suryaningrum, Psi,.. Dr. Hari presented compelling research findings on the heavy psychological burdens students face, such as academic burnout from assignments, relationship conflicts, and post-graduation career anxiety. To foster resilience, participants were introduced to the Hero’s Journey framework, which centers on character (I AM), competence (I CAN), and collaboration (I HAVE). Meanwhile, Ibu Sitha equipped participants with practical diaphragmatic breathing techniques effective for calming panic attacks, closing the session with a creative comic-strip-making group activity to illustrate their triumphs over life’s adversities.
The third day brought a reflective and visionary atmosphere with the sessions “Point of You – Challenge in the Future” and “Finding Your Unique Value,” led by psychologist Dwiani Fegda, M.Psi. The core message emphasized the vital importance of preserving our core humanity amidst the rapid rise of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). She outlined five key stages of the reflective journey toward leaving a meaningful legacy: The Mirror, The Horizon, The Storm, The Compass, and The Footprint. Besides that, grantees were encouraged to confront six modern-day life storms—such as information overload and mental exhaustion—and were driven to discover their unique self-worth as a guiding compass. This deeply emotional session concluded with a powerful activity where participants wrote personal letters addressed to their future selves 15 years from now.
Continued into the afternoon with the group presentation showcase. In this session, five teams presented practical solutions built on the results of an internal survey (Student Monitoring System) regarding the daily challenges faced by grantees in the West Java region. The presentation tackled various thematic areas: Tools (Green Group), Family (Yellow Group), Time Management (Red Group), English (Purple Group), and Food (Blue Group). The Purple Group emerged as the Best Group thanks to their innovative design of a practical English learning application for university students. Special recognition was also given to the Best Participants, awarded to individuals who stood out for their active engagement throughout the three-day event, insightful questions, support for fellow teammates, and overall positive vibes. The honors went to Noor Latifah Adzhari (IPB University) and Radhiyya Nurmaulida Zahra (Bandung Institute of Technology).
Bringing the highly productive three-day event to a spectacular close, the regional meeting wrapped up with an vibrant Art Performance showcasing West Java’s rich cultural heritage through the Lenggang Bekasi dance and the harmonious singing of Manuk Dadali. Get ready, VDMI Family, because the next Regional Meeting is already gearing up to spark inspiration and ignite your spirits in the next city. See you there!
