Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a meeting with Georgetown University to discuss potential academic collaboration, particularly in the development of international programs, fast-track pathways, and joint initiatives in the fields of social sciences, political science, and economics.
The Georgetown University delegation was led by Prof. Yuhki Tajima, Ph.D., Rector, accompanied by Mrs. Annisa Yustia, Executive Education Manager. The UI delegation was led by Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, and attended by:
Prof. Evi Fitriani, M.A., M.I.A., Ph.D. – Dean, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Dr. Hendriyani, S.Sos., M.Si. – Vice Dean for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Fadhilah Muslim, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., DIC – Director, Internationalization of Education
Arief Wibisono Lubis, S.E., M.F.M., M.Sc., Ph.D. – Chief Internationalization and Transformation Officer, Faculty of Economics and Business
Dr. Phil. Panji Anugrah Permana – Head of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Reska Herlambang, M.Ikom – Head of Sub-Directorate for Public Relations, Media, and Government, Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs
Yunitha Fajarwati, S.Hum – Section Head, International Education Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education
During the meeting, both institutions discussed the structure and benefits of international academic programs that allow students to spend up to two years at a partner university abroad. Such programs are expected to provide students with international exposure, global networks, and potential employment opportunities in the partner country after graduation.
The discussion also focused on the possibility of developing dual-degree and fast-track programs, including a proposed 3+1+1 fast-track master’s scheme involving FISIP and FEB. UI highlighted the importance of ensuring that any program structure fully complies with Indonesian government regulations and internal university policies.
Georgetown University expressed strong interest in strengthening collaboration with Indonesian universities, particularly UI. The strategic locations of both institutions—Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and UI in Jakarta—were seen as an advantage for potential collaboration in areas such as international relations, public policy, and policy-oriented research.
Funding mechanisms were also discussed, particularly the role of the LPDP scholarship in supporting students participating in joint programs. Both parties acknowledged the need for further clarification regarding scholarship coverage, especially for program components conducted at the undergraduate level.
In terms of institutional agreements, the meeting addressed the process of establishing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Agreements of Implementation (AoI). Georgetown University will prepare and share a draft MoU as an umbrella agreement, which will serve as the basis for faculty-level AoIs. Letters of Intent (LoI) from FISIP and FEB were identified as prerequisites for submitting proposals to LPDP.
As a follow-up, further discussions will be conducted between Georgetown University and UI’s Faculty of Economics and Business as well as the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences to refine the fast-track program framework and proceed with the MoU process.
Photo Credit: Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs
