Makassar, 12th February 2025 – Makassar Tourism Polytechnic has once again demonstrated its commitment to expanding its international academic network by partnering with Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (Uzbekistan). This collaboration aims to strengthen the global tourism education sector and encourage the exchange of knowledge that is beneficial to the development of the global tourism industry.

The Director of Makassar Tourism Polytechnic, Dr. Herry Rachmat Widjaja, MM.Par., CHE, emphasised the importance of building connectivity with international educational institutions in his speech. He stated that this collaboration is a crucial step in preparing Makassar Tourism Polytechnic to become a world-class university.

Dr. Andar Danova L. Goeltom, S.Sos., M.Sc., Deputy Assistant for HR Development & Vocational Higher Education at the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, said that this cross-border higher education partnership is expected to make a real contribution to overcoming various global challenges in the fields of education and tourism. He added, ‘We are very pleased with the cooperation between the Tourism Polytechnic and Silk Road International University of Tourism. This is a strategic step in strengthening the global academic network and improving the quality of education and research in higher education institutions under the Ministry of Tourism. We hope that this collaboration will provide long-term benefits for all parties involved.’

The hybrid seminar was held with great enthusiasm. A total of 454 participants attended both online and offline, consisting of students, lecturers, and academics from various universities, including representatives from Uzbekistan. Participants gained valuable insights from keynote speakers from both institutions, as well as discussion sessions that encouraged further collaboration in the future.

With this international collaboration, the Makassar Tourism Polytechnic further solidifies its position as an educational institution committed to the development of quality tourism science, as well as increasing its contribution to higher education in Indonesia and the world.

The International Seminar on Tourism 2025 will be held on Monday, 10 February 2025, starting at 13:30 WITA (Makassar Time). The seminar was held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to join online via the Zoom platform or attend in person at the LT.9 Auditorium of the Soesilo Soedarman Building, Makassar Tourism Polytechnic. This event provided an important opportunity for academics, students, and professionals in the tourism sector to share knowledge and expand their networks in a global context.