Indonesia and Japan Explore Student Collaboration and Technology Development

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) and the Japanese Government are exploring collaboration on student mobility and technology development to widen access to international education, strengthen researchers’ capacity and promote research development.

Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday that there was an opportunity to increase the number of Indonesian students pursuing higher education in Japan, including by expanding access to information about English-language degree programmes.

“The proposal still requires further discussion regarding its funding arrangements and implementation,” he said.

Brian said cooperation with Japan could provide a foundation for expanding joint research and strengthening scientific and technological capacity in both countries. One area of collaboration is mineral resources, involving Japanese partners.

On technology development, Kemdiktisaintek has met with the leadership of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

According to Brian, universities and research institutions could help develop and test technologies with industry partners, so that research outcomes address the needs of communities and industry.

Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Ueno Atsushi welcomed the opportunity to strengthen the partnership. On research, he said Indonesia and Japan had adopted 26 projects under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS).

Atsushi said he hoped closer Indonesia-Japan ties would continue through student and academic mobility, collaborative education programmes and joint research.