SPU’s Office of International Relations and School of Liberal Arts lead hands-on internationalization through The 5th International Friendship Day, bringing together global students into multicultural discussion teams.
Building global perspectives and preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world requires concrete institutional action and dedicated platform creation.
On July 23-24, 2026, at the Mirror Room, 2nd Floor, Building 11, Sripatum University (Bangkhen Campus), and online via Zoom, SPU’s Office of International Relations (SPU OIR) in collaboration with the School of Liberal Arts (SPU SLA) spearheaded “The 5th International Friendship Day” under the theme “Friendship Beyond Borders: Building Global Connections.”
The event brought together 385 total participants, engaging 110 SPU student participants (39 presenters and 71 audience members) alongside 275 international participants (152 presenters and 123 audience members).
Participants collaborated with students from 14 international partner institutions: Galgotias University (India), University of Malaya (Malaysia), World Citi Colleges (Philippines), ITS Surabaya (Indonesia), Hsiuping University of Science and Technology (Taiwan), Phenikaa University (Vietnam), Sugiyama Jogakuen University (Japan), Cavite State University (Philippines), Ifugao State University (Philippines), Panpacific University (Philippines), Universitas Bhinneka Nusantara (Indonesia), Goon International College (Malaysia), National Pingtung University (Taiwan), and University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).
SPU introduced an innovative Team Advisor system, pairing SPU faculty members with international counterpart professors to provide structured academic feedback. On July 23, SPU organized a dedicated Welcome Session, Ice-Breaking activities, and an SPU Campus Tour showcasing the Central Library, Aircraft Mock-up, Co-working Space, and student cafeterias exclusively for onsite participants.
On July 24, the Student Forum featured student teams presenting and exchanging critical insights across seven global themes:
Digital Technology and Global Friendship
Food as a Universal Language
Student Mobility and Global Friendship
Breaking Stereotypes Through Friendship
Language as a Bridge for Global Connection
Friendship and Collaboration for Global Problem Solving
Volunteering and Community Engagement Across Cultures
Hosting open academic events aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education under SDG 4.3 Lifelong learning measures and SDG 4.3.2 Public events (lifelong learning).
Providing equitable access for diverse student cohorts supports SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities via SDG 10.6 Measures against discrimination and SDG 10.6.6 Support for underrepresented groups. Serving as an inclusive campus platform for open global dialogue reinforces SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through SDG 16.3 Working with government and SDG 16.3.4 Neutral platform to discuss issues. Furthermore, executing joint academic mentorship with international partner universities advances SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals under SDG 17.2 Relationships to support the goals and SDG 17.2.4 Collaboration for SDG best practice.
Sripatum University remains committed to delivering practical global learning experiences that empower students as compassionate global citizens.
#SPU #SPUSDGs #SPUOIR #SPUSLA #InternationalFriendshipDay
