Indonesia, Germany boost higher education ties

The statement was delivered by Minister Brian Yuliarto during a courtesy visit by German Ambassador to Indonesia Ralf Beste at the ministry’s office.

“We share a long history together. We hope this cooperation can continue, including the dispatch of Indonesian students to Germany. Currently, interest among Indonesian students in participating in international programs in Germany continues to grow,” the minister said in a statement received on Friday.

Minister Yuliarto noted that Indonesia and Germany have maintained strong and long-standing cooperation, particularly in higher education and research.

He also encouraged the expansion of university partnerships, including joint degree and double degree programmes.

The minister promoted the development of doctoral programmes, joint research funding, and academic exchanges with Germany to support national priority programmes in food security, renewable energy, clean water, industrial downstreaming, digitalisation, and national defence.

In response, Ambassador Beste affirmed that strengthening educational cooperation and student exchanges remains a priority for the German Embassy in Jakarta.

He also highlighted a planned visit by the president of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who also serves as rector of the University of Cologne, as a potential forum for discussions with Indonesian university rectors to enhance institutional cooperation.

“We consider this one of our main responsibilities at the embassy, for the science attaché, the cultural attaché, and certainly for me as well, to increase student exchanges,” Beste said.