SeIBa International Festival 2026 Gathers Participants from Eight Countries to Celebrate Sustainability, Culture, and Global Collaboration

PADANG, INDONESIA – Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Imam Bonjol Padang officially launched the SeIBa 4th International Festival 2026 on 7 July 2026. The annual event welcomes hundreds of students, academics, and institutional representatives worldwide to celebrate cultural diversity, academic synergy, and environmental sustainability. Under the theme "Sustainability: From Nusantara to Global Harmony," the festival underscores UIN Imam Bonjol Padang's commitment to driving international engagement through education, arts, and intercultural dialogue.

Spanning from 7–12 July 2026, the week-long festival features an extensive lineup of competitions and activities. These include solo vocal and nasheed performances, traditional and contemporary dance, poetry, monologues, Qur'anic recitation competitions (MSQ and MTQ), pencak silat, short films, poster design, calligraphy, and an international cultural seminar. This diverse agenda provides a strategic platform for students to showcase their talents while fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The opening ceremony commenced with a vibrant parade of participating contingents, followed by cultural showcases from UIN Imam Bonjol Padang students alongside international students from Vietnam, Nigeria, and Cambodia currently pursuing their studies at the university. The performances highlighted the festival's pivotal role as a melting pot where diverse cultural traditions are shared and celebrated.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Subhan Ajrin Sudirman, M.A., Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, highlighted the SeIBa International Festival as one of UIN Imam Bonjol Padang’s flagship annual international programs. Now in its fourth edition, the festival continues to offer invaluable opportunities for students to demonstrate creativity, innovation, artistic expression, and cultural appreciation, while expanding academic networks at both national and global levels.

This year’s iteration brings together 486 participants representing eight countries—Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Japan, Nigeria, Vietnam, Thailand, and Türkiye—alongside delegates from 26 State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) and nine Private Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIS) across Indonesia. Dr. Subhan noted that the expanding international participation reflects the festival's growth into a robust collaborative platform that promotes global friendship and academic exchange.

Concluding his speech, Dr. Subhan emphasized the core value of collaboration through a reflection inspired by the ancestral wisdom of the archipelago:

"The Nusantara has taught us that a great tree never grows alone. It stands because its roots strengthen one another, the soil protects it, and nature maintains its balance. So too does human civilization."

Representing Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. H. Suyitno, M.Ag., Director General of Islamic Education, officially inaugurated the festival. He underscored the distinctive character of Islamic higher education institutions in integrating Islamic studies, social sciences, and natural sciences into a comprehensive academic framework equipped to address contemporary global challenges. The official opening was symbolized by a traditional tambua tasa drum performance, joined by the Rector of UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, university leaders, the Deputy Mayor of Padang, and representatives from participating PTKIN and PTKIS institutions.

On behalf of the Mayor of Padang, H. Maigus Nasir, M.Pd., Deputy Mayor of Padang, expressed the city's strong appreciation for SeIBa International Festival 2026, describing it as a strategic catalyst for strengthening collaboration among Islamic higher education institutions. He noted that the festival successfully bridges Islamic values, scientific advancement, and cultural preservation, further cementing Padang's reputation as a prominent hub for educational cooperation.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Martin Kustati, M.Pd., Rector of UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to creating inclusive, global collaborative spaces through education and inter-nation dialogue. She emphasized that the SeIBa International Festival extends far beyond artistic showcases, serving as an effective form of cultural diplomacy that unites students, academics, and stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The festival's focus on sustainability resonates with the broader mission of modern higher education institutions to prepare future generations for global challenges through collaboration and innovation. By linking sustainability with culture and international engagement, the festival encourages participants to recognize that building a sustainable future requires not only technological and scientific progress but also mutual respect, shared values, and collective action.

As an official media partner, UI GreenMetric highly appreciates initiatives like the SeIBa International Festival, which encourage universities to strengthen international cooperation while championing sustainability, cultural diversity, and global citizenship. Such platforms provide critical opportunities for students to exchange ideas, develop cross-cultural competencies, and build collaborative networks that contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious global future.

Written by Muhammmad Dito Rizki Suprapto - Media Relations Intern of UI GreenMetric

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