Germany strengthens academic partnership with Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Oliver Sperling, affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening its academic partnership with Indonesia and opening up new opportunities for cooperation.

That commitment was reflected in a several-day visit to Indonesia by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) President Joybrato Mukherjee to deepen academic ties between the two countries.

“The visit underscores Germany’s commitment to deepening its academic partnership with Indonesia and exploring the various opportunities ahead,” Deputy Ambassador Sperling said at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.

He said Indonesia and Germany had established a strong foundation, with around 190 partnerships between higher education institutions in the two countries.

“However, given Indonesia’s size, its young and dynamic population, and its growing role in science, technology and innovation, there remains significant potential to expand this cooperation further,” he said.

Mukherjee said Germany was an open and attractive destination for international students and researchers, with more than 426,000 international students and doctoral candidates currently studying at German universities.

“We offer a wide range of options, including universities, universities of applied sciences, and art and music colleges. We want to encourage young people from Indonesia to study and conduct research in Germany,” he said.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has been active in Indonesia for more than 70 years, and opened its representative office in Jakarta in 1990.

Around 190 partnerships currently link German universities with nearly 70 higher education institutions in Indonesia.

“Germany and Indonesia have worked together in higher education and research for decades. These partnerships provide a solid foundation for future cooperation,” Sperling said.