The spirit of international academia came alive at Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UM Gresik) as the university hosted the 1st International Conference on Innovation of Science and Social Studies (ICISSS) 2026. The grand international conference brought together academics, researchers, and experts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Finland, and Uzbekistan on one stage to explore how innovation can create meaningful impact for society and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Carrying the theme “Impactful Innovation in Science and Social Studies on Achieving SDGs,” ICISSS 2026 was held on 20–21 August 2026 at Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik. More than an academic forum, the conference became a meeting point for perspectives and experiences from different countries and disciplines, further strengthening UM Gresik’s growing international academic network.

The participation of experts from four countries brought diverse perspectives to the conference. From Malaysia, ICISSS 2026 welcomed Prof. Sr. Dr. Mastura Jaafar and Prof. Madya Dr. Reevany Bustami from Universiti Sains Malaysia, who contributed academic insights to discussions on innovation and sustainable development.

Representing Finland, Ayu Pratiwi, Ph.D. from the University of Turku brought a European perspective to the forum, creating an opportunity to connect different academic and research contexts across Asia and Europe.

From Uzbekistan, the conference welcomed Prof. Gulzoda Kudratova from Asia International University, alongside Dr. Mirjalol Kudratov and Dr. Debby Putri from Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute. Indonesia was represented by Prof. Yudhi Arifani, M.Pd. from UM Gresik.

The conference also featured Prof. Ir. Ilyas Masudin, MLogSCM., Ph.D. from Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang as Guest Editor, strengthening the academic profile of the event and creating wider opportunities for research and ideas discussed during the conference to connect with the broader scholarly community.

At the center of this international gathering, UM Gresik took on a role beyond that of a host. The university became a space where global perspectives could meet, allowing academics from different countries to exchange knowledge, build connections, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The idea of “Impactful Innovation” stood at the heart of the conference. Innovation was not viewed simply as something new, but as an idea capable of responding to real challenges and creating meaningful value for society. Bringing science and social studies together therefore became essential in approaching complex global challenges from broader perspectives.

UM Gresik Rector, Prof. Dr. Khoirul Anwar, S.Pd., M.Pd., officially opened ICISSS 2026. The opening marked an important moment for UM Gresik as it continues to strengthen international academic collaboration and advance the university’s internationalization efforts.

The conference was chaired by Dr. Umaimah, S.E., M.Ak., Chair of ICISSS 2026 and Head of the Center for Studies and Innovation under the Directorate of Research and Community Engagement at UM Gresik.

The scale of ICISSS 2026 was further reflected in the support of various partners, including PT Freeport Indonesia, SIG, Bank Jatim Syariah, PT Petrokimia Gresik, Pegadaian Syariah, and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI). The conference also involved several co-hosts, including the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of UM Gresik, Universitas Khairun, Universitas Hang Tuah Surabaya, the Faculty of Psychology of UM Gresik, the Faculty of Law of UM Gresik, the Faculty of Agriculture of UM Gresik, and the Faculty of Health Sciences of UM Gresik.

For UM Gresik, ICISSS 2026 provided an important opportunity to expand international collaboration while demonstrating how a university can actively contribute to the global academic conversation. Bringing four nations together in one forum created opportunities for new networks, knowledge exchange, and research collaborations that can continue beyond the conference itself.

Ultimately, ICISSS 2026 was more than a two-day academic gathering. It became part of UM Gresik’s continued journey to build stronger connections with the international academic community. Through innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge, UM Gresik continues to expand its global engagement while contributing to society and supporting a more sustainable future.