On 6 June 2026, Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites Jakarta became a meeting point for ideas, ambition, and international collaboration as hundreds of alumni, academics, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals gathered for France Alumni Day 2026. Organized by the Embassy of France in Indonesia, Institut français d'Indonésie (IFI), and Campus France Indonesia, the event showcased how education can become a bridge between nations and a catalyst for innovation.
Held within the framework of the France–Indonesia Year of Innovation 2026, the event came just days after Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Prabowo Subianto adopted a Joint Declaration on Education, Research and Mobility in Paris. Under the theme “Innovation for Tomorrow: Science, Technology and Collaboration between France and Indonesia,” the gathering reflected a shared commitment to investing in knowledge, talent, and scientific cooperation as drivers of future prosperity.
Building Bridges Through Education
For decades, France has been one of the world's leading destinations for higher education, research, and technological innovation. Ranked among the world's top countries for scientific publications, engineering excellence, and innovation, France has attracted a growing number of Indonesian students seeking international experience and world-class education.
This trend has accelerated in recent years. Through strategic cooperation between France and Indonesia's Education Endowment Fund (LPDP), the number of scholarship recipients pursuing master's degrees in France has increased fourfold. Campus France, with offices in Medan, Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya, has also played an important role in expanding academic mobility and making French higher education more accessible to Indonesian students.
As French writer Victor Hugo once said, “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” The quote resonated with the spirit of France Alumni Day, where education was celebrated not merely as a personal achievement, but as a force capable of transforming societies and strengthening international understanding.
Alumni Driving Innovation
At the heart of France Alumni Day were the graduates themselves. Throughout the event, participants exchanged experiences and explored opportunities through networking sessions, exhibitions, mentoring activities, and discussions on science, sustainability, and technology.
The roundtable discussions featured distinguished French-educated Indonesians whose careers exemplify the impact of international education. Among them were Dr. Puspo Edi Giriwono, who contributes to the France–Indonesia FORTRIZ programme on food fortification and nutrition, Faddy Ardian, CEO and Co-Founder of Atom8AI in Singapore, and Maria Apriliani Gani, recipient of the 2025 L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science award.
Their stories illustrated how academic experiences in France had empowered Indonesian professionals to contribute to research, entrepreneurship, public health, and technological innovation both at home and abroad.
Innovation for Tomorrow
One of the highlights of France Alumni Day 2026 was the Innovation Challenge, a competition designed to identify and support innovative solutions for future global challenges. The committee received nearly one hundred submissions from students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and young innovators across Indonesia, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for innovation-driven problem solving.
Following a rigorous selection process, six grand finalists were invited to present their projects during the event. Their ideas ranged from healthcare and transportation safety to climate adaptation, digital resilience, and educational technology, reflecting the diverse challenges and opportunities facing Indonesia and the wider region.
Throughout the day, finalists presented their innovations before a panel of judges and participants, showcasing how creativity, scientific thinking, and entrepreneurship can generate practical solutions with real social impact. The competition concluded with the announcement of Kallista Nadia Adrianne as the winner of the Innovation Challenge 2026. Her project, which reimagined French curriculum support in Indonesia by combining education, technology, and cross-border mobility, stood out for its innovative approach and potential to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries. As the winner, she received prize money of Rp15 million.
Beyond the competition itself, the event also featured an exposition of alumni-led businesses operating in sectors such as architecture, tourism, finance, agriculture, and artificial intelligence. Together, these initiatives demonstrated how French-educated Indonesians are helping drive innovation and economic development both nationally and internationally.
A Partnership for the Future
France Alumni Day 2026 was ultimately more than an alumni gathering. It reflected the evolving partnership between France and Indonesia—one increasingly defined by education, research, innovation, and people-to-people connections.
As both countries navigate a rapidly changing world shaped by technological disruption, climate challenges, and digital transformation, investments in talent and knowledge have become strategic priorities. The growing network of Indonesian graduates from French institutions serves as an important bridge between the two nations, connecting ideas, expertise, and opportunities across borders.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: the future of France–Indonesia relations will be built not only through diplomacy and trade, but also through the scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators who transform education into meaningful action. France Alumni Day was therefore not only a celebration of past achievements, but an investment in the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of both countries.
