Germany Seeks to Boost Student Exchanges and Research with Indonesia
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The German government wants to encourage more students and researchers to make use of academic opportunities in Germany and Indonesia, Deputy Head of Mission of Germany to Indonesia Oliver Sperling said.
“We want to encourage more students and researchers to explore the opportunities offered by both countries, strengthen partnerships between universities, and develop joint research in renewable energy, climate change, biodiversity, digitalisation and artificial intelligence,” he said.
At a joint press conference in Jakarta on Friday with German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) President Joybrato Mukherjee, Sperling highlighted the relatively affordable higher-education opportunities available in Germany to international students.
Most degree programmes at German public universities do not charge general tuition fees, he said, while DAAD provides scholarships and financial support to help students cover living costs.
“Our ambition is clear: to build partnerships that benefit students, researchers and institutions in both countries, with academic exchanges also helping to deliver solutions to shared challenges,” he said.
Sperling said there was still considerable untapped potential for academic cooperation between Germany and Indonesia.
“Our task now is to turn that potential into more opportunities, stronger partnerships and tangible results for both countries,” he said.
He cited B.J. Habibie and Toto Sugiri as examples of how education in Germany has contributed to Indonesia’s development, from aerospace and technology to the data centre industry.
Mukherjee said he wanted to encourage young people from Indonesia to study and conduct research in Germany.
Academic exchange is not a one-way street, he said. In 2025, DAAD supported more than 600 Indonesians undertaking studies, research and other academic activities in Germany, as well as nearly 250 students and researchers from Germany in Indonesia.
“We would like to see more Indonesian students and researchers come to Germany, and more Germans choose Indonesia for their academic careers,” he said.
He added that DAAD not only provides scholarships but also supports long-term cooperation between German and Indonesian universities through joint research, university management and projects related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Indonesian alumni also play an important role in strengthening professional and personal ties between the two countries,” he said.