From April 19 to 25, 2026, the Collaboration and Global Engagement (CaGE) International Office of Universitas Ciputra Surabaya hosted its annual flagship program, Java Impact Journey: Innovate, Immerse, Inspire — a 7-day experiential learning immersion across Surabaya and East Java, Indonesia.
The program welcomed participants from five partner universities: FPT University (Vietnam), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Universiti Utara Malaysia (Malaysia), De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (Philippines), and Soutsaka Institute of Laos (Laos). Together, participants engaged in a week of expert-led workshops, environmental exploration, cultural experiences, and collaborative project development — all centered around a shared challenge: creating a digital marketing strategy for Taman Safari Prigen.
The program kicked off on Day 2 (April 20) with a welcoming ceremony featuring a traditional dance performance, followed by the first academic sessions from the School of Communication Science. Dr. Cosmas Gatot Haryono, Dean of the School of Communication Science and Media Business, opened with a workshop on Basic Marketing Communication, followed by Stefan Yudana Jatiperwira’s session on Social Listening for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. After lunch, participants mobilized to Hotel Inna Tretes in the highlands of East Java, settling in ahead of the next day’s adventure.
On Day 3 (April 21), participants headed to Taman Safari Prigen — one of East Java’s most iconic wildlife destinations, spanning over 350 hectares and home to hundreds of animal species from across the globe. Beyond experiencing the park firsthand, feeding animals, and watching interactive shows, participants were tasked with observing the destination through the lens of digital marketing, identifying real opportunities they would later develop into their final project.
Back in Surabaya on Day 4 (April 22), participants rolled up their sleeves for a full day of technology workshops in the Mac Lab, delivered by the School of Information Technology. Sessions covered AI Marketing Tools, Basic UI/UX Design, and Digital Storytelling: Branding and AI Accessibility — all facilitated by Yustus Eko Oktian, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. and Elizabeth Nathania Witanto, S.Kom., M.Sc., Ph.D. The afternoon transitioned into an intensive project creation session, where each group began building out their digital marketing strategy in earnest.
Day 5 (April 23) was presentation day. Each group delivered a 15-minute presentation and Q&A in front of a panel of judges, showcasing the digital marketing strategy they had developed for Taman Safari Prigen. Judges included Yustus Eko Oktian, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Information Systems Lecturer), Dr. Hilda Yunita Wono, S.I.Kom., M.Med.Kom., CIQaR., CCP (Communication Lecturer), and Yoseva Maria Pujirahayu Sumaji, S.E., M.M., MBA., CWM., CFRM. (Head of Collaboration and Global Engagement).
As a reward for their hard work, Day 6 (April 24) was dedicated to exploration and connection. Participants toured the Universitas Ciputra Surabaya campus — including the Apple Academy, School of Information Technology, and School of Communication Science — before heading to the Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI) to learn more about France–Indonesia cultural cooperation. The group then strolled along the iconic Jalan Tunjungan, and wrapped the day with free time for bowling and a live concert on campus.
On Day 7 (April 25), it was time to say goodbye. The university provided fully-facilitated airport transport for all participants — even those on red-eye flights — capping off a week of hospitality and care. Goodbyes were warm, friendships were made, and the Java Family promised to keep in touch across five time zones.
Java Impact Journey 2026 brought together students from across Southeast Asia to learn, build, and connect — not just with each other, but with Indonesia itself. Through workshops, wildlife, and weeks’ worth of shared experience, participants left not only with a completed project, but with a broader perspective on what it means to collaborate across borders.
We will meet again, Java Family!