Lead, Connect, and Create Impact: The Spirit of the Brighter 2026 Jamboree

BANDUNG — The Brighter 2026 Jamboree series was successfully held from October 29 to November 1, 2026, in Soreang, Bandung. The event kicked off with a training session for education facilitators on October 29. The main event then took place from October 30 to November 1, involving 264 Bright Scholarship Batch 12 awardees from 22 universities across Indonesia.

Under the theme “Lead, Connect & Creating Impact,” the Brighter 2026 Jamboree is part of the Bright Scholarship development program, previously known as the Bright National Summit and the Bright Future Leader Summit. This theme reflects the event’s three main objectives: strengthening leadership capacity, building cross-campus and cross-regional networks, and fostering tangible contributions to society.

Over the course of three days, the awardees participated in various learning sessions, group discussions, and team-building activities. A joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere filled the gathering of awardees from diverse regional and campus backgrounds. They not only received training to develop themselves but also had the opportunity to meet, get to know one another, and build camaraderie.

The awardees’ activities were organized around two themes. The first day focused on “Know Yourself, Know Your Team, Understand the Problem,” followed by “Turn Problems into Solutions” on the second day. The event concluded with an “Outing & Closure” session on the third day.

The event opened with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. H. Waryono Abdul Ghafur, M.Ag., Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, followed by the presentation of awardee jackets and the recitation of the pledge as scholarship recipients. This moment marked the beginning of the journey with the Bright Scholarship Batch 12 awardees.

Self-Awareness and Finding Direction
Before moving forward, self-awareness is one of the most important tools for the younger generation. Through the session “Meet Your (True) Self: Being Yourself Amid Expectations,” Olphi Disya Arinda, M.Psi., an Adult Clinical Psychologist and Trauma Therapist, guided the awardees in recognizing their thought patterns, personal values, and emotional triggers. This understanding helps them navigate various expectations without losing their sense of self.

The process of self-discovery is also linked to leadership skills and the development of personal potential. In the session “Empathy & Problem Mapping,” Sherly Annavita Rahmi discussed the importance of self-leadership, consistency, and a growth mindset. The process of growth doesn’t always have to start with big steps. Consistency in doing simple things, the courage to take action, and a supportive environment are also crucial parts of that journey.

The discussion on personal potential and future direction was further enriched by the session “Upgrade Your Self: From Self-Awareness to Career Direction” led by Fauzi Akhmad, a Board Member of the HCG Division at YBM BRILiaN and Department Head of HC Planning, Analytics, & Budgeting at BRI. Participants were guided to understand their strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations as a foundation for planning their personal and career development.

Expanding Perspectives and Preparing for a Career
Meeting many people also means encountering diverse ways of thinking. Through the session “Reframing Perspectives: The Power of Diverse Thinking,” Galeh Pujonegoro, Program Manager at YBM BRILiaN, encouraged participants to view issues from a broader perspective. Participants are encouraged not to jump to conclusions, but rather to test assumptions and consider the evidence before making judgments.

A broader perspective is also essential when planning for the future. Dila Dama Atprinka, Program Manager at YBM BRILiaN and Dean of the Compliance, Human Capital, Audit, and Finance Academy at PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, presented the session “Career Development and Goal Setting: From Potential to Professional.”

In this session, awardees were encouraged to begin thinking about their career paths and the competencies they need to develop starting during their college years. One of the approaches introduced was the SMART method—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By setting clear and measurable goals, their potential can be channeled into more concrete steps for development.

From Diverse Ideas to Collective Action

The Brighter 2026 Jamboree didn’t stop at theoretical training. The awardees also had the opportunity to collaboratively develop ideas through a Collaborative Brainstorming session. They exchanged perspectives, formed teams, and selected social issues to develop into proposed solutions.

This process continued in a Design Thinking workshop led by Dr. Ir. Dwi Purnomo, STP, M.T., IPU, ASEAN Eng. Participants were divided into groups and guided by facilitators to engage in a collaborative learning process. Through the “From Idea to Action” (Project Clinic) session, participants then developed their ideas into action plans.

The ideas were subsequently prepared in the form of pitch decks. The awardees received intensive coaching before presenting their group’s work and answering questions from the judges. This process provided an opportunity to learn how to present ideas, work in teams, accept feedback, and take responsibility for the proposed solutions.

One indicator of the program’s success was the development of 22 social projects by the awardees. The three best projects are slated to receive funding to support their implementation after the program concludes.

Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Your Friends, Take Care of the Trust
Behind the various training sessions and challenges throughout the program, there are values that are expected to remain ingrained in the awardees’ journey. M. Dadang Permana, KF, Chairman of the YBM BRILiaN Board of Trustees and Group Head of Human Capital Business Partner at BRI, conveyed three key messages: Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Your Friends, and Uphold the Trust.

These three messages serve as a reminder that the journey as a scholarship recipient is not just about personal achievements. Scholarship recipients must also take care of themselves as they grow, support and strengthen one another, and fulfill the trust that has been entrusted to them.

This sense of togetherness was also evident through various activities outside of the learning sessions. The scholarship recipients participated in communal worship, recited the Qur’an, engaged in dhikr, and exercised together. There were also group singing sessions, opportunities to communicate with parents or guardians, as well as outdoor outings and team-building activities.

For participants from 22 different campuses, this series of activities provided a space to get to know one another and build closer relationships. It is hoped that the networks formed will open up new opportunities for collaboration, especially after they return to their respective campuses and regions.

Through the spirit of “Lead, Connect & Creating Impact,” YBM BRILiaN hopes that the Bright Scholarship Batch 12 awardees can develop their leadership skills, build meaningful networks, and make tangible contributions to society. The experiences gained during the Brighter Jamboree 2026 are expected to equip them to continue growing and playing a positive role in their respective communities.

By utilizing zakat funds from donors, YBM BRILiaN remains committed to providing educational support that not only fosters academic success but also shapes a young generation of character, competitiveness, and a commitment to serving others—all to give meaning to Indonesia.