Universitas Andalas Students Strengthen Diplomatic Insight through the “A Day with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” Program in Support of SDG 4 and SDG 17

Universitas Andalas students gained direct exposure to the practice of Indonesian diplomacy through the “A Day with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” program held in Jakarta on Thursday, February 12, 2026. This initiative is closely linked to SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, as it expands students’ global learning experience while strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and national policy stakeholders.

The activity was organized as a follow-up to Universitas Andalas’ participation in the joint viewing of the 2026 Annual Press Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the foreign policy discussion forum, Bincang Polugri. Two Universitas Andalas students represented the university in the program, namely Wigi Dwy Indrayansah from International Relations, class of 2024, and Bunga Anisah Putri from Law, class of 2023, accompanied by lecturer Dr. Muhammad Yusra. Their participation reflected the university’s commitment to encouraging students to take an active role in discussions on foreign policy and strategic global issues.

The program, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, brought together 27 participants from nine partner universities. The agenda included a tour of Gedung Pancasila, an interactive dialogue with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a visit to the Public Service and Indonesian Citizens Protection Building, and a “Meet the Diplomats” session with young diplomats. Through this series of activities, participants were introduced to both the institutional and practical dimensions of Indonesian diplomacy.

During the dialogue session, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that young people hold a strategic position in shaping the future direction of Indonesia’s foreign policy. He encouraged students to broaden their global perspectives, build international networks, and sharpen their leadership capacity. For the Universitas Andalas delegates, the opportunity to speak directly with the minister and diplomats provided a concrete understanding of how Indonesian diplomacy is carried out, including the mandate to protect Indonesian citizens abroad and deliver consular services.

Dr. Muhammad Yusra stated that the involvement of Universitas Andalas students in the program carries strategic value. He noted that the students were not merely participants, but part of a policy dialogue space that enriches their perspective on Indonesian foreign policy and opens wider insight into the dynamics of global geopolitics. This experience, therefore, served as an important extension of the theoretical knowledge they have gained in the classroom.

Overall, the “A Day with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” program demonstrated how experiential learning can strengthen students’ academic and professional readiness in international affairs. Through its participation, Universitas Andalas reaffirmed its role as a space for nurturing future leaders who are adaptive, critical, and internationally minded.