SB IPB University Hosts The 8th ABEATS & 4th BIEC Joint Conference 2026, Strengthening International Research Collaboration in the Age of AI

Bogor, October 7, 2026 — The School of Business, IPB University (SB IPB University) hosted The 8th ASEAN Business, Engineering, and Technology Symposium (ABEATS) & The 4th Business Innovation and Engineering Conference (BIEC) Joint Conference 2026 on Tuesday–Wednesday, October 6–7, 2026, at the SB IPB University campus in Bogor. Organized in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia, the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), and Satbayev University (Kazakhstan), this international conference served as a platform for academic collaboration and knowledge exchange, strengthening networks while advancing business scholarship at the international level.

This year’s conference carried the theme “Human-Centered AI and Responsible Innovation for Sustainable and Inclusive Business & Engineering Systems.” The theme reflects a growing awareness that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) must be accompanied by a perspective that keeps people at its center. Technological innovation is expected not only to excel technically, but also to be ethical, responsible, and broadly beneficial.

The theme was explored through seven tracks: Human–AI Collaboration and Augmented Decision Making; Responsible, Ethical, and Trustworthy AI Systems; Socio-Technical Systems, Organizations, Governance, and Digital Transformation; Sustainable and Inclusive Innovation through AI and Engineering; Business Impact and Valuation of AI; AI and Green Transition; and Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Human-Centered and Responsible AI Systems. This range of topics underlines that the development of AI calls for a cross-disciplinary approach, spanning business and management as well as technology and engineering.

The first day began with an opening ceremony, followed by a plenary session featuring three keynote speakers: Ramona Blanes, PhD of the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom; Helen Tan Boon Lee, PhD, General Manager of Regal Kowloon Hotel; and Prof. Yandra Arkeman of IPB University. The session was moderated by Prof. Salmi Mohd Isa of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

With speakers from both academia and industry, the plenary session became a space for complementary dialogue. Academic perspectives offered conceptual foundations and research insights, while industry perspectives brought a practical view of the challenges and opportunities of applying innovation in the real world. Together, they enriched participants’ understanding of the direction of human-centered innovation.

Over the two days, participants presented their research in three rounds of parallel sessions held simultaneously in three rooms. These sessions formed the core of the conference, where researchers shared the findings, methods, and ideas they have developed within their respective tracks.

The discussions in each room gave presenters the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from fellow researchers. Such exchanges not only strengthen the quality of research, but also open opportunities for further collaboration across institutions and countries in business, technology, artificial intelligence, and engineering.

On the second day, the conference featured two concurrent workshops. The PhD Thesis Workshop was facilitated by Prof. Yusniza Kamarulzaman of the University of Malaya, Malaysia, and Marianna Koukou, PhD of the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Academic Publication Workshop with ASIA NEXUS Journal was facilitated by Ramona Blanes, PhD of the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Both workshops equipped participants, particularly doctoral students and researchers, with practical insights into writing a dissertation and preparing high-quality academic publications. Strengthening capacity in academic writing and publishing is an important step in ensuring that research reaches a wider audience and makes a meaningful contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

The conference concluded with an award and closing ceremony in appreciation of the participants’ contributions. The moment also marked the hope that the exchange of ideas over the two days will continue through research collaboration and closer academic networks.

Through ABEATS-BIEC 2026, the School of Business, IPB University reaffirms its commitment to serving as a hub for academic collaboration at the regional and global levels. SB IPB University hopes that this forum will inspire ideas and research that are relevant, responsible, and impactful for the business community, society, and sustainable and inclusive development.