President University Pioneers Digital Campus Era with Indonesia's First Roblox Concert

President University has achieved a historic milestone by hosting a landmark virtual music event on its official Roblox platform map, marking a significant leap into the future of higher education. Featuring the talented student and acclaimed singer Chintya Gabriella as the primary headliner, this event represents the very first concert on the Roblox platform to be initiated by an Indonesian educational institution. This pioneering initiative signals the beginning of a transformative new phase where virtual spaces are strategically utilized to enhance student recreation, foster community spirit, and support the overall well-being of the campus population in an increasingly digital world.

The concert's star, Chintya Gabriella, who was born on March 19, 1999, in Medan, has established herself as a prominent figure in the Indonesian music industry since launching her career in 2018. Having gained widespread national recognition as a contestant on Indonesian Idol that same year, her performance within the metaverse provided students with a deeply immersive and interactive digital experience. Within this secure virtual environment, student avatars were able to enjoy the live show, engage in real-time social interactions with their peers, and experience the collective energy of a large-scale public event without the constraints of physical distance.

Dr. Handa Abidin, who assumed his role as the Rector of President University on January 31, 2024, has been a vocal advocate for this digital evolution, emphasizing that the metaverse and virtual worlds offer a vital new arena for creativity. He noted that these platforms are essential for the social engagement of the younger generation, providing a space where they can express themselves and build meaningful communities. According to Dr. Abidin, these digital landscapes should not be dismissed as fleeting trends but should instead be recognized as significant emerging environments that are shaping the future of both creative industries and professional social interaction.

Beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year, President University has taken the bold step of systematically integrating the Roblox platform into the formal educational systems of several key departments, including the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Computer Science, and the Faculty of Business. Faculty member Ferawati Natalita explained that the Roblox environment is now viewed as a legitimate digital equivalent to the physical campus, carrying the same weight and importance as traditional on-site activities for structured academic and campus-wide functions. This strategic adoption of digital change is specifically designed to modernize the learning process and provide a holistic approach to student development and institutional growth.

This technological adaptation extends far beyond the limits of traditional classroom instruction, as demonstrated by the virtual concert’s role in maintaining a healthy balance between academic rigors, campus life, and mental health. Experts in the field of educational technology suggest that the integration of tools such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) can dramatically improve knowledge retention and student participation by offering a profound 3D experience that surpasses traditional online learning methods. Furthermore, the Rector highlighted that the use of Roblox in an academic context allows for the exploration of complex topics such as digital ethics and law, which serves to address and mitigate societal concerns regarding safety and negative influences in gaming environments.

By embracing these cutting-edge technologies, President University is positioning itself as a forward-thinking institution that is highly responsive to the rapid pace of digital transformation and the evolving cultural landscape of its students. This move is reflective of a broader global trend in higher education, where there is an increasing focus on merging interactive gaming platforms with academic objectives to stay relevant in the modern era. This global shift is further evidenced by major industry moves, such as Roblox’s own substantial $10 million investment into the development of educational video games, underscoring the growing legitimacy of virtual platforms in both professional and academic spheres.