"We have a longstanding history of cooperation, especially in the higher education, science, and technology sector. I am enthusiastic to discuss the plan to renew the MoU as an initial step to strengthen our collaboration," Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, noted in a statement on Tuesday.
He made the remarks while receiving a courtesy visit from Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Roderick Brazier, in Jakarta on Monday (June 2).
Yuliarto then expressed his appreciation to the Australian Government for its contribution in supporting the development of Indonesian education, including through the establishment of several branches of Australian campuses such as Monash University in Jakarta, Deakin University in Bandung, and Western Sydney University in Surabaya.
"I hope Australian universities can offer more study programs at their campuses in Indonesia to offer more choices for Indonesian students," he remarked.
During the meeting, the minister proposed the development of a more integrated educational collaboration model by encouraging Australian campuses to not only open new campuses but also build joint programs directly at Indonesian partner campuses from the start of lectures.
"Compared to the separate 3+1 system, the Joint Degree program can be built from the start, with lecturers and curriculum provided from both parties and parallel learning in Indonesia and Australia," he remarked.
He also expressed hope that programs, such as Visiting Professor and Joint Degree, can be realized in the near future.
He believes this collaboration will bring tangible benefits for students and strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem of both countries.
In the same statement, Ambassador Brazier expressed his side's readiness to explore the proposed concept with a team from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
He then highlighted plans to conduct several agendas under the KONEKSI collaboration, including an award ceremony for recipients of the Just Energy Transition grant and a knowledge exchange event in October.
In addition, he expressed the Australian government's hope to explore greater flexibility for developing new study programs at its branch campuses in Indonesia.
"Australia is always open to the best minds from Indonesia. To date, there are more than 200 thousand alumni from Indonesia, including several current cabinet ministers," he explained.
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Translator: Sean Filo M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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