Government Opens Options for Education and Research Collaboration with IIT Madras

The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, is opening up opportunities for cooperation in higher education, research, and the development of a technology-based startup ecosystem with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, India. Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated that Indonesia and India have great potential to build strategic collaboration, particularly in developing superior human resources and technological innovation. He assessed that cooperation between the two countries’ universities needs to be directed beyond just academic and research fields, but also towards creating a startup ecosystem and downstreaming innovation. The Minister also conveyed plans to develop cooperation with IIT Madras through various schemes, including joint degree programmes, lecturer and student exchanges, and the development of centres of excellence at several Indonesian universities. According to him, the innovation development model applied by IIT Madras can serve as an important reference in strengthening the research and startup ecosystem in Indonesia. His ministry is committed to facilitating the international mobility of students, researchers, and foreign professors through the establishment of a one-stop service point, which is expected to support the acceleration of international cooperation in higher education and research. He also encouraged the development of joint programmes between Indonesian universities and IIT, at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, and stressed the importance of industry involvement in supporting the success of the innovation ecosystem.