October 1, 2026 — The sound of students engaging in discussions could be heard throughout Khodijah Hall. This time, the students were given a session by a partner from Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) focusing on Personal Branding. The session was delivered by Mr. Holis Abdul Holik and Mrs. Ani Rachmat, both lecturers at the university. The material presented was informative and substantial, covering personal branding as well as differences in university cultures around the world.
What Is SUGT?
SUGT, or Sekolah Unggul Garuda Transformasi, is a program initiated by Prabowo Subianto to improve the quality of outstanding schools across Indonesia and advance STEM education, with the goal of improving the competitiveness of Indonesian students alongside international students.
SUGT consists of seven different programs, each managed by institutions that specialize in their respective fields. For example, the Prediction Test program is managed by The Princeton Review and Internal Education Specialist, while the STEM program is supported by Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Various other SUGT programs have also been designed to improve students’ competencies to meet international standards. These programs operate under the supervision of Diktisaintek (the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology).
The Personal Branding Program by Universitas Padjadjaran
The program presented by Universitas Padjadjaran focuses on personal branding. UNPAD was selected to handle this area because the university has several modules designed to help students prepare portfolios that may be required when applying to international universities.
These modules include Personal Statements, Portfolio Development, Self-Mapping, and various other materials designed to support students in preparing their application documents for studying abroad. Universitas Padjadjaran is also responsible for 47 other schools under the SUGT program, which operates under the coordination of Diktisaintek.
UNPAD has also developed a website called LUHUNG UNPAD, an acronym for Unpad Learning and Upskilling Hub for Next Generations. The website was developed by UNPAD in 2022, with UNPAD serving as the institution primarily responsible for its management.
LUHUNG UNPAD provides a variety of specialized courses, including programs related to SUGT. Some of the courses available on the platform include Self-Mapping, Personal Branding, Personal Statement, and other programs designed to help students prepare for international university applications.
An Engaging Session with Mr. Holis and Mrs. Ani
At around 9 a.m., the students were directed to gather at Khodijah Hall to attend a seminar delivered by lecturers from UNPAD. The seminar was attended by approximately 300 students, consisting of SUGT participants from both the male and female student groups. The activity was held separately for male and female students as part of the school’s efforts to maintain appropriate boundaries and limit unnecessary communication.
The event began with a welcoming speech by Ustaz Soleh Aziz. In his speech, he explained the technical arrangements and how the activity would proceed. After the opening remarks were completed, the two main speakers took the stage.
The speakers were Holis Abdul Holik, Ph.D., and Dr. Ani Rachmat, M.Hum., Ph.D. Both are lecturers at UNPAD and have extensive academic backgrounds, including international educational experience. Mrs. Ani Rachmat, for example, is a graduate of Saint Petersburg State University.
During the first part of the session, the two speakers explained the differences in university environments across various continents. For example, universities in North America generally offer greater flexibility in choosing academic programs and place greater emphasis on discussion and student participation. In contrast, universities in Europe tend to place stronger emphasis on academic knowledge, which is subsequently assessed through final examinations.
Mrs. Ani also explained what students might experience at universities ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. According to her presentation, students may encounter continuous research projects, competition on a global scale, and, most importantly, social and mental pressure that requires students to become independent.
Personal Branding
According to the speakers, personal branding can be understood as the story we show the world about who we are, the values we believe in, and the contributions we want to make.
University admission systems also increasingly emphasize Holistic Admissions, which means evaluating applicants as a whole. Admission is not based solely on language proficiency or academic grades on paper, but also on who the applicant is and what experiences and abilities they have related to the academic field they intend to pursue.
The consequences of neglecting personal branding can also be significant. Without a clear personal brand, a student’s profile may become difficult to distinguish from others. Students may also struggle when explaining who they are, what they have achieved, and why they are suitable for their chosen field. Through personal branding, universities also want to understand how well students can adapt to and handle the challenges of everyday university life.
“In my opinion, this Personal Branding seminar was quite inspiring because I finally learned how important personal branding is when preparing application documents for international universities,” said one of the students during an interview about the Personal Branding Seminar held by Universitas Padjadjaran.
After the Personal Branding session was completed, the seminar came to an end. The activity was closed with a prayer and photo session. The male students were then directed to return to their dormitories first, followed by the female students.
It is hoped that after participating in the Personal Branding Seminar, the students will gain new inspiration and motivation to prepare themselves, develop their personal branding, and ultimately pursue their aspirations of continuing their education at international universities.
