Highlights International Sandbox

Highlights International Sandbox 

The multilateral collaboration between 4 universities in 4 countries is the first conference coalition of its kind. It creates a unique structure that in itself complies with many of the rules that are set for international conferences by ministries or universities. It brings together all resources necessary to redesign and control a new process that makes it easier and faster for students, faculty and universities to meet their academic requirements. 

The sandbox model separates the academic process from the physical conference and thus eliminates the need for applicants to attend a conference. Independent from submission deadlines and fixed conference dates, applicants can submit papers and obtain acceptance letters, and can now for the first time complete their academic requirements anytime anywhere 

Without the technical requirement to attend a conference in the conventional sense, the sandbox no longer has to follow standard rules and formats, and can change conferences into a next-generation model and a new type of social gathering. Conferences are organized as needed, with much shorter lead time, and feature only the best papers thus enhancing the overall quality. During the conference Oscar Event summaries are presented and discussed in dynamic round-table discussions, creating an onsite showcase for ASEAN research

The sandbox uses a dedicated YouTube channel as its main publication platform. This public and widely used media channel gives access to a worldwide audience that can view presentations and interact with researchers anytime and anywhere. This potentially enhances knowledge sharing. Presentations are searchable by domain and ranked through YouTube algorithms which aides the goal of building the sandbox channel into a premier online showcase for ASEAN research 

Rationale International Sandbox 

In 2022 the idea emerged to challenge conventional conferences, typically organized for the purpose of knowledge sharing and networking, or meeting specific requirements of universities, students and faculty members. The model has gone unchallenged for decades, leading to a fast increase of conferences worldwide but without the enhanced impact one would hope for. In May 2022 Rangsit University, University Malaya, Universitas Islam Indonesia and (Vietnam) decided to put their minds together in an attempt to define the next generation of conferences. The project is dubbed the international sandbox and aims to break-through borders and create a playground, a sandbox if you will, to develop and experiment with any and all new ideas. Our aim is not to find a one-fit-for-all solution but rather to develop a free and open linux structure where new concepts emerge and where each partner can meet its unique needs and requirements. The sandbox objectives are defined as:

Innovation of processes with the aim to make it easier and faster for post-graduate students, faculty members and universities to meet their academic requirements

Innovation of outcome with the aim to raise the quality of papers and conferences, and to enhance the relevance and impact on people and society 

Innovation of connectivity with the aim to combine the resources of the coalition to make it easier to organize better conferences with a global reach