Mataram, July 15, 2026 – The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Mataram actively contributed to the organization of the Joint Conference: The 8th International Conference on Rural Development and Entrepreneurship (ICORE) and The 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Economics Management and Accounting (ICSEMA) 2026, held on Wednesday (July 15). Universitas Mataram served as the host institution in collaboration with Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, with support from several national and international universities as co-hosts, including Universiti Utara Malaysia, Hebei University, Universitas Pelita Bangsa, Universitas Bhayangkara, the Faculty of Economics and Business of Universitas Sains Al-Qur’an, Universitas Siliwangi, and Universitas Paramadina.

Held at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Aruna Senggigi, the international conference brought together academics, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders from various countries to discuss strategic issues related to rural development, entrepreneurship, sustainable economics, management, and accounting.

The event commenced with a plenary session featuring distinguished keynote and invited speakers, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslina Kamaruddin from Universiti Utara Malaysia, Prof. Wang Penggang from Hebei University, Sondang Marsinta U. Panggabean from Bank Indonesia, Dr. Ratno Purnomo, M.Si. from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, and Prof. Dr. Bülent Eşiyok from Istanbul Gelisim University, Türkiye.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from representatives of the four partner universities: Hebei University, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, and Universitas Mataram. Representing Universitas Mataram, Dr. Siti Latifah, S.Hut., M.Sc., Vice Rector for Planning, Partnership, and Information Systems, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in strengthening higher education, research, and community service to address global development challenges. The conference was officially inaugurated through a ceremonial gong-striking by the leaders of the partner universities.

Following the plenary session, the conference continued with parallel sessions, providing a platform for researchers to present their scholarly work across various disciplines. The program also featured an International Community Service initiative, demonstrating the practical implementation of academic collaboration with direct benefits for local communities.

During the International Community Service activities, several study programs from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Mataram implemented community engagement projects. The Master’s Study Program in Economics presented a program entitled “Sustainable Economic Development: Empowering Coastal Communities through Eco-Entrepreneurship,” focusing on empowering coastal communities through environmentally based entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, the Diploma III Accounting Study Program conducted a community service project titled “Strengthening MSME Capacity Building for an Inclusive, Competitive, and Sustainable Local Economy,” while the Diploma III Taxation Study Program implemented the program “SMEs Tax Literacy and Financial Digitalization,” aimed at enhancing tax literacy and promoting digital financial transformation among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

As one of the conference organizers, the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Mataram made significant contributions to various aspects of the event. Faculty members served as masters of ceremony and session moderators, while students participated as liaison officers assisting international delegates throughout the conference. Students also showcased the rich cultural heritage of West Nusa Tenggara through traditional Peresean martial arts performances and the Gandrung Dance, enriching the conference experience and warmly welcoming participants from around the world.

On the same occasion, the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Mataram further strengthened its international partnerships through the signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Hebei University, and Universitas Jenderal Soedirman. These agreements are expected to foster broader collaboration in education, research, community service, faculty and student exchanges, and other academic initiatives.

Through its active participation in the Joint Conference ICORE–ICSEMA 2026, the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Mataram once again demonstrated its commitment to advancing the internationalization of higher education, expanding global academic partnerships, and fostering innovation and collaboration that contribute to sustainable economic development and societal well-being.

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Photographer: Ahmad Hufaezi
Editor: Chandra Priyadi