Technology and Education: Driving Forces for Sustainable and Inclusive Development
Nov 04, 2025
12:47:53
At the International Conference on Economics, Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, and Accounting in Indonesia, a representative from the British University Vietnam highlighted how technology, artificial intelligence, and education can work together to foster sustainability and social inclusion.
Held from 24 to 25 October 2025 at Dr. Soetomo University (Unitomo) in Surabaya, Indonesia, the 2nd International Conference on Economics, Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, and Accounting (ICEBEMA 2025) brought together more than 300 scholars, policymakers, and business leaders from across the region. Under the theme “Driving Sustainable Transformation: Green Innovation, Digitalisation, and AI in the Future of Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship,” the conference served as a platform to discuss strategies for building a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.
Delegates and speakers at the opening of the 2nd ICEBEMA 2025 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Among the international keynote speakers was Dr Kumarashvari Subramaniam, Discipline Lead – Business (Management, Marketing) at the British University Vietnam (BUV), who was invited to deliver a keynote address focusing on technology-driven social impact.
Her keynote, titled “Empowering Street Vendors through Digital and AI Integration: Students as Catalysts for Sustainable Change,” explored how digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) can drive inclusive and sustainable development. The session showcased student-led projects that co-create AI-based tools with street vendors to enhance income stability, sales prediction, and digital inclusion.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1, 8, and 10), the initiative promotes poverty reduction, decent work, and reduced inequalities by formalising informal work, improving efficiency, and expanding access to microcredit.
Dr Kumarashvari Subramaniam presenting her keynote session on empowering street vendors through digital and AI integration.
Dr Kumarashvari also underscored the importance of activity-based learning and policy collaboration, calling on governments and universities to develop enabling ecosystems that support ethical AI practices, data accessibility, and innovation funding.
“Digital transformation is not only about efficiency, but also about empowering communities and ensuring equitable participation in economic growth,” said Dr Kumarashvari. “Students are key change agents who use technology to bridge divides and advance sustainability within their communities.”
The conference was attended by Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elestianto Dardak, Chancellor of Dr. Soetomo University Prof. Siti Marwiyah, and Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Prof. Sukesi, along with representatives from the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Australia.
Through the participation at ICEBEMA 2025, BUV continues to strengthen its international academic collaborations and reinforce its commitment to research and teaching that promote innovation, sustainability, and positive social impact across the region.




