The WUACD SUMMIT 2025 was held in Surabaya, just like in previous years. The special event for this year’s agenda was the meeting, which also served as a platform to gather researchers, educators, and leaders from over 40 institutions across Southeast Asia. The event was organized in conjunction with AMBC 2025 and the AUN/SEED-Net Regional Conference. By providing a platform for researchers, experts, and educators from various fields, this event focused on building a better, greener, and more sustainable future through science, technology, and innovation, and a multidisciplinary approach.

The first day of the series of events took place at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), kicked off by the 5th ASEAN Microbial Biotechnology Conference (AMBC) 2025, featuring keynote speakers such as Dr. Lily Eurwilaichitr from The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand, Prof. Kazuhito Fujiyama from Univeristy of Osaka, Japan, and Dr Almando Geraldi from Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia. The speakers shared their ideas on clean energy, useful microbes, and new biofuel sources. These talks showed how important the utilization of science and innovation is to protect the environment.

Later in the evening, there was a gala dinner at Surabaya’s Grahadi State Building, where all delegates were welcomed with traditional East Javanese performances and cuisine. Opening remarks were delivered by East Java’s Acting Governor, Dr. Emil Dardak, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, UNAIR’s newly appointed rector and the President of WUACD. Both emphasized the role of universities in creating solutions for community development. Then, a highlight of the evening was the donation to orphaned children, reflecting the summit’s value of inclusion and social responsibility.

Following the first agenda item, the second day of the WUACD Summit series event featured several concurrent activities, including the WUACD Summit, the AMBC Workshop, the AnMicro Meeting, and the ASEAN BCG Network Meeting. Each event focused on different topics, as different associations held those agendas. Some groups attended the AMBC Workshop at the Airlangga Research Hub, while others participated in the AnMicro Meeting at the ASEEC Tower. Meanwhile, the ASEAN BCG Meeting took place at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), as the meeting was hosted in collaboration with the institute.

The delegates from ASEAN BCG toured ITS’s REIDI Lab, a center for research on solar energy, biomass, and battery storage. They also visited the Environmental Engineering Lab, where black soldier fly larvae are used to convert organic waste into a useful product, which a model of circular and sustainable technology.

While delegates from SUMMIT 2025 visited a local puskesmas (community health center) in Surabaya. They observed programs focused on preventing child stunting through health education, growth monitoring, and maternal support. The visit connected international delegates directly with local health initiatives.

Then, for the next event was WUACD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wih COMSTECH, a scientific body under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This agreement marked the start of collaborative community development projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and selected African countries.

The day also featured the WUACD Project Coordinatiors Election. Four coordinators were appointed to lead initiatives through 2027 which including Prof. Ira Nurmala (Uiversitas Airlangga, Indonesia) for Innovative Education and Lifeling Learning, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aziz Rahman (Federation University, Australia) for Health and Environment, Dr. Anak Agung Gde Satia Utama (Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia) for Sustainable Economy, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Rosnor (Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia) for Social Development and Multiculturalism. Each coordinator introduced action plans focused on inclusive education, environmental health, rural empowerment, and multicultural engagement.

On the last day, the event was concluded with the ASEAN BCG Network Conference at UNAIR. Delegates from ASEAN countries and Japan discussed strategies for advancing the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy, science and technology coordination, and sustainable innovation. Presentations covered topics such as biotechnology, waste-to-energy, and green infrastructure, with contributions from researchers in Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Japan. The launch of ASEAN Engineering Journal (AEJ) was also announced as a new platform for regional academic collaboration. A closing networking session encouraged future joint research and institutional partnership, reinforcing the SUMMIT’s emphasis on SGD 17: Partnership for the Goals.

With momentum from SUMMIT, WUACD looks ahead to its next Executive Board Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, this November 2025, hosted by Thammasat University. The three-day event in Surabaya not only showcased academic innovation but also strengthened community-based efforts and international collaboration by connecting science, education, and real-world action. The WUACD SUMMIT 2025 reaffirmed that lasting change begins with a partnership built on shared goals and mutual respect.