“Our vision is to make UI a global hub for talent and innovation. This partnership with Tsinghua shows our commitment to that goal,” UI Rector Heri Hermansyah said in Depok, West Java.
He said the memorandum of understanding signed on November 4, 2025, was not ceremonial but an acceleration step following UI’s earlier strategic partnership with Peking University. Tsinghua University ranks 17th globally, while Peking University is 14th, according to QS World University Rankings.
“The collaboration goes beyond student exchanges; we are co-developing future technologies. This is science diplomacy at the highest level,” Heri said.
The UI-Tsinghua partnership will focus on high-impact research projects. Over the past five years, joint studies between the two universities have produced 39 scientific papers, and the cooperation is now being expanded into technology development.
A key priority is the development of an mRNA-based dengue vaccine. The project is backed by Indonesia’s National Food and Drug Agency (BPOM) Chief, Professor Taruna Ikrar, who also delivered a guest lecture at Tsinghua.
“This marks strong government support to ensure the partnership runs smoothly from planning and technology development to clinical trials,” Heri said.
The agreement also enhances UI’s elite double-degree programs, offering students the opportunity to earn two degrees from leading global institutions.
In addition, Tsinghua’s Institute of Carbon Neutrality will work directly with UI’s Net Zero Initiative to advance clean energy and decarbonization research.
UI will offer seed and matching research grants for collaborative projects with Tsinghua scholars and invite Tsinghua experts as visiting lecturers in its international programs.
UI is Indonesia’s top public university and recently entered the QS World University Rankings top 200, now ranked 189th. President Prabowo Subianto has urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to support UI’s push toward the world’s top 100.
Tsinghua, founded in 1911 on the site of Qing Dynasty imperial gardens in northwest Beijing, ranks 17th globally and is among the world’s leading public universities, surrounded by historic landmarks.
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Translator: Feru L, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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