Makassar, 18 July 2026 — Scholars, researchers, and
educators from Indonesia and abroad gathered at the Ballroom Theater of Menara
Pinisi, Universitas Negeri Makassar, for the LONTARA International
Conference in collaboration with the 14th ELITE Conference, held in a
hybrid format on 17–18 July 2026. The conference carried the theme, “Crossing
Boundaries: Languages, Literature, and Culture in the Age of AI and Global
Interconnectivity.”
The conference was officially opened by Prof. Dr.
Farida Patittingi, S.H., M.Hum., Acting Rector of Universitas Negeri Makassar.
In her opening remarks, she highlighted the importance of international
academic collaboration in addressing the opportunities and challenges arising
from rapid technological advancement and global interconnectedness. She also
emphasized the strategic role of higher education institutions in fostering
innovation, research excellence, and intercultural understanding.
The two-day event served as a platform for academic
exchange and interdisciplinary discussions on the opportunities and challenges
brought by artificial intelligence and increasing global interconnectedness in
the fields of language, literature, and cultural studies.
The conference featured prominent keynote speakers,
including Prof. Dr. Arskal Salim, Ph.D., Mr. Kevin McCaughey, and Prof. Dr.
Tariq Elyas, alongside several plenary speakers from universities in Indonesia
and overseas. Their presentations addressed contemporary issues related to
language education, intercultural communication, digital transformation, and
the evolving role of artificial intelligence in academic and social contexts.
In addition to the keynote and plenary sessions, the
conference hosted parallel presentations delivered by scholars from various
State Islamic Universities, Universitas Negeri Makassar, and other higher
education institutions affiliated with the ELITE Association. The presentations
showcased current research findings across the fields of linguistics,
literature, language teaching, and cultural studies.
Among the presenters were Dr. Jumharia Djamereng and
Aulia Nur Amaliyah from Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar. Both
participated as speakers in the linguistics panel and presented their research
papers online, contributing to scholarly discussions on contemporary linguistic
issues.
The conference reaffirmed the importance of academic
collaboration across institutions and national borders. By bringing together
experts from diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, the event provided
valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and the development
of innovative perspectives on language, literature, and culture in an
increasingly AI-driven and globally connected world.
Writer: J Djamereng
