University of Indonesia and Tohoku University Japan Discuss Research and Education Collaboration
Depok (ANTARA) - The University of Indonesia (UI) and Tohoku University, Japan, have discussed strengthening collaboration in the fields of education, research, innovation, and student mobility, as well as opportunities for joint academic programmes.
UI Rector Heri Hermansyah stated in Depok on Tuesday that alumni play a vital role in strengthening the institutional relationship between the two entities. Tohoku University alumni in Indonesia are being encouraged to act as intermediaries for academic diplomacy, capable of opening new networks between researchers and institutions in both countries.
“Alumni can serve as anchors and ambassadors to connect professors and expand collaboration,” said Heri.
He expressed hope that student exchange programmes could continue to develop alongside joint research, including the idea of online research matching to bring together researchers from both institutions in relevant scientific fields.
During the meeting, Tohoku University presented its progress as a leading Japanese research university, established in 1907, operating under the principles of ‘Research First, Open Doors,’ and ‘Practice-Oriented Research and Education.’
In 2024, the Japanese government designated Tohoku University as the first higher education institution to achieve the status of University for International Research Excellence (UREX).
Heading into 2026, the Sendai-based campus is accelerating its global transformation agenda through three main commitments: Impact, Talent, and Change.
The two universities also discussed opportunities for interdisciplinary research, particularly the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology from the perspectives of social sciences and humanities.
Associate Professor Raphaella Dewantary Dwianto from the Department of Sociology, FISIP UI, explained the mapping of young UI researchers studying ethics, sociology, and AI-based information science.
Tohoku University welcomed this initiative, noting that future AI studies require multidisciplinary approaches encompassing philosophy and technological ethics. In addition to AI, Japanese Studies were discussed as a potential area for strategic cooperation, leveraging UI’s research experience in Japanese studies.
In the academic sphere, both parties explored the expansion of postgraduate double degree programmes.
Building on the success of the double degree programme at the UI Faculty of Dentistry, which has been operational for several years, representatives from the Faculty of Engineering (FTUI) are also exploring similar schemes for doctoral (PhD) levels.
Tohoku University responded positively to this initiative, focusing on the mapping of curricula across the relevant faculties.