This was raised during a meeting between the ministry and a delegation from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Jakarta on Tuesday (Feb 10).
The Secretary General of the ministry, Togar M. Simatupang, expressed his appreciation for UKM's commitment to encouraging digital learning innovation and the internationalization of higher education in the region.
"ODL is a new platform, a new means not only to reach our students, but also to educate the public flexibly," Simatupang said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Simatupang stressed that Indonesia is fundamentally open to cross-border distance education. He noted that existing regulations acknowledge distance learning within the national higher education system, provided it complies with quality standards and accreditation requirements, and ensures comparable learning outcomes.
He also emphasized the importance of linking higher education cooperation to the needs of talent mobility and the regional job market.
Simatupang stated that the initiative aligns with the Impactful Education and Science and Technology policy, under which international collaboration is intended to produce tangible outcomes that enhance human resource competencies, boost graduate competitiveness, and support national and regional development.
Meanwhile, Beny Bandanadjaja, an official of the ministry, explained that recognition of the qualifications of foreign graduates, including through the ODL scheme, is carried out through a diploma equivalency mechanism that refers to the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI).
This measure is essential to ensure appropriate academic levels, maintain learning quality, and secure formal recognition in Indonesia. It is also seen as vital for positioning the country not merely as an education market, but as a strategic partner in advancing the regional higher education ecosystem.
The ministry hopes that the exploration will be the first step towards a strategic partnership in ASEAN higher education that is inclusive, sustainable, and has real impact, particularly in expanding access to quality higher education through digital transformation.
UKM is known to have established various partnerships with several Indonesian universities, including Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Indonesia University of Education (UPI), Hasanuddin University (Unhas), Semarang State University (Unnes), and others, encompassing academic exchanges, joint research, and collaborative programs.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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