JAKARTA — Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) officially welcomed scholars, researchers, and public opinion practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region as the Ninth WAPOR Asia Pacific Annual Conference 2026 commenced in Jakarta on Monday (27/7).

Organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) UIII in collaboration with the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) Asia Pacific, the three-day conference carries the theme “Public Opinion in a Fast-Changing World.”

Running from 27 to 29 July 2026, the conference brings together 110 participants from 21 countries, reflecting the growing importance of international collaboration in understanding the rapidly evolving landscape of public opinion, democratic governance, and social change.

The conference officially began with a Welcoming Reception held at Balai Agung, Jakarta City Hall, where participants were warmly received by the host institution and conference organizers. The ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Dr Phillips J Vermonte, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Prof Dr Jamhari Makruf, the Rector of UIII, before the conference was officially opened by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung.
The opening reception also featured the presentation of the PERSEPI Media Award to Litbang Kompas, a research and development unit of the national daily, recognizing outstanding contributions by the media to the advancement of public opinion and survey research. The award ceremony included remarks by Dr Djayadi Hanan, Chairman of PERSEPI, followed by a presentation introducing the award recipient before the honor was formally presented during the event.

Beyond serving as the ceremonial opening, the reception provided an opportunity for scholars, practitioners, and institutional leaders from across the region to reconnect and exchange ideas ahead of the conference’s academic sessions. Throughout the following two days, participants will engage in discussions on contemporary issues in survey methodology, political behavior, public policy, media studies, and the changing dynamics of public opinion in an era marked by rapid technological and social transformation.

The conference will continue on Tuesday evening (28/7) with a Conference Dinner at Paviliun Raden Saleh, ARTOTEL Curated, Taman Ismail Marzuki, where WAPOR Asia Pacific will present its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of exceptional contributions to the field of public opinion research.

Although the conference is designed primarily for registered presenters and participants, members of the UIII academic community who registered in advance have also been invited to attend selected sessions, reinforcing the university’s commitment to fostering international academic engagement and scholarly exchange.

By hosting one of the region’s leading gatherings on public opinion research, UIII further strengthens its position as an emerging international hub for academic dialogue. Bringing together experts from 21 countries, the conference demonstrates the university’s dedication to promoting evidence-based research, cross-border collaboration, and informed public discourse in addressing the complex challenges facing societies across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.