Brunei – The School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), has further enhanced its international academic network by participating in the ASEAN University Network for Business and Economics (AUN-BE) Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026. This event took place at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE) on April 22–23, 2026. This annual event, initiated by the ASEAN University Network for Business and Economics (AUN-BE), brought together various higher education institutions in the business and economics sector in the ASEAN region to discuss strengthening academic collaboration, educational innovation, and global strategic issues.
Various forms of collaboration were discussed at the forum, including student exchanges, faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and the development of summer courses and online courses between member universities. The meeting also encouraged the development of online courses endorsed by AUN-BE so that they can be recognized across member institutions and converted into academic credits.
The Dean of SBM ITB, Prof. Dr. Aurik Gustomo, and Prof. Ir. Togar Mangihut Simatupang represented SBM ITB at the general meeting. This year’s event carried the theme of sustainable finance and innovation. This theme is considered relevant to the challenges faced by ASEAN countries, particularly regarding climate resilience and coastal development as an archipelagic region.
“The theme of sustainable finance and innovation is relevant because ASEAN countries face challenges related to climate resilience and coastal development as an archipelagic region,” said Prof. Togar Mangihut Simatupang.
In addition to serving as a strategic discussion forum, the AUN-BE AGM also provides a space to strengthen relationships among member institutions through various academic and research collaboration opportunities.
“Forums like AUN-BE are important because they provide university representatives in the ASEAN region opportunities to meet face-to-face, build relationships, get to know each other, and exchange ideas for fostering more concrete academic collaborations,” he said.
In addition to collaboration, the forum also discussed strengthening scientific publications by promoting internationally reputable journals from member universities to gain broader visibility at the regional level.
SBM ITB offers summer courses and online courses to member universities. This step is part of SBM ITB’s internationalization strategy and strengthens the institution’s positioning both at the ASEAN and global levels.
“SBM ITB continues to position itself as an active member of the AUN-BE network by offering international programs such as summer courses and online courses to member universities,” said Prof. Togar.
SBM ITB’s participation in the AUN-BE AGM 2026 is anticipated to create broader opportunities for collaboration, enhance student and faculty mobility, and strengthen international research partnerships in sustainable finance and innovation. By actively engaging in this regional forum, SBM ITB reaffirms its commitment to advancing business and management education that addresses global challenges and meets the needs of the ASEAN region.
