This commitment was underscored during a courtesy visit by Sir Steve Smith, the UK International Education Champion, and Dominic Jermey, the British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
They were accompanied by a delegation of UK higher education representatives and received by Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto and his team in Jakarta on Wednesday (Nov. 19).
“The Government of Indonesia is strongly committed to enhancing cooperation, particularly in research, research downstreaming, and transnational education (TNE),” Minister Brian said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Thursday.
He expressed hope that more joint research initiatives would be established between Indonesian and UK universities.
Brian said collaboration schemes such as double-degree and joint-degree programs should also be expanded through various models, including three-plus-one years for undergraduate programs and three-plus-one-plus-one years for master’s programs.
He added that the UK remains one of the most popular destinations for Indonesian students pursuing higher education, both through scholarships and self-funded study.
According to him, the presence of two UK universities in Indonesia-Lancaster-Deakin University in Bandung, West Java, and King’s College London in the Singasari Special Economic Zone, East Java -represents a growing transnational education landscape.
“Foreign universities establishing branch campuses in Indonesia are expected to collaborate with domestic universities, especially in research. Their presence is expected to strengthen the research environment within Indonesian higher education institutions,” Brian said.
Meanwhile, UK International Education Champion Sir Steve Smith welcomed the Indonesian government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in higher education and research.
Smith assured that the UK government ensures all British universities opening branch campuses in Indonesia uphold the same academic standards as their main campuses in the UK.
He added that if Kemdiktisaintek aims to elevate the research quality of Indonesian universities to the level of leading global institutions, TNE is one of the solutions. Branch campuses of world-class universities can help cultivate a world-class research environment.
“The tuition fees at UK branch campuses in Indonesia are three times cheaper than studying at the main campuses in the UK. This means branch campuses expand access to high-quality international education for Indonesian students,” Steve Smith said.
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Translator: Sean, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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