Denpasar, Bali – September 27, 2025 – The Annual Business Meeting of the English Language Education Study Program Association (APSPBI/ELESPA) has concluded in Bali, marking a pivotal moment for Indonesia's higher education landscape by successfully brokering a strategic international collaboration with Central Asia. In an initiative driven by the association, a landmark partnership was forged with one of Uzbekistan's leading institutions, the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages (SAMSIFL).
The forum prominently featured Professor Otabek Gaybullaev, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at SAMSIFL, as its keynote speaker. His presence was a cornerstone of APSPBI’s vision to actively connect its 93 member study programs across Indonesia with significant global opportunities.
In a warmly received opening address, Prof. Gaybullaev highlighted the profound historical and cultural ties between the two nations. “It is a great honor for me to take part in this important meeting. This gathering is not only an opportunity to strengthen scientific cooperation but also to foster friendship and mutual understanding between our nations. The peoples of Indonesia and Uzbekistan are united by a rich history and deep cultural heritage,” he remarked.
This message resonated perfectly with the APSPBI President’s opening address, which framed the conference theme, “Transforming English Language Education: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact” as a call to action through global collaboration. The partnership with SAMSIFL stands as a direct and tangible fulfillment of that vision.
A Golden Opportunity for APSPBI Members
In his comprehensive presentation, Prof. Gaybullaev detailed the sweeping educational reforms underway in Uzbekistan. He pointed to the dramatic surge in higher education institutions, from just 77 in 2017 to 208 in 2024, backed by a massive increase in government investment in research and innovation.
Crucially, he presented a clear blueprint for cooperation that APSPBI members can directly leverage. “Within the framework of our cooperation, we plan to work intensively in the fields of multilingual education, digital humanities, scientific internship programs, AI-based translation projects, and corpus linguistics,” Prof. Gaybullaev explained.
This offer creates concrete opportunities for Indonesian universities to:
- Send Students and Faculty Abroad: Through exchange and internship programs at one of the oldest centers for language studies in Central Asia.
- Develop Joint Research: Particularly in the fields of applied linguistics, intercultural communication, and educational technology.
- Access Digital Resources: Collaborate on creating dictionaries, e-learning platforms, and language corpora beneficial to both nations.
APSPBI as a Bridge for Internationalization
APSPBI’s role in this event transcended that of a mere organizer. The association proactively positioned itself as a key facilitator for the internationalization of English Education study programs in Indonesia. By featuring a high-level delegation from SAMSIFL, APSPBI provided its members with direct access to a partnership that would be difficult for individual institutions to achieve alone.
“I am confident that the outcomes of today’s meeting will open a new chapter in scientific collaboration between Indonesia and Uzbekistan. By working together, we will not only achieve remarkable scientific progress but also build a solid bridge of knowledge for future generations,” Prof. Gaybullaev concluded.
The success of the Bali meeting marks a significant milestone for APSPBI, proving that a professional association can be a primary driver in elevating the reputation and academic networks of its members onto the world stage.
