Universitas Indonesia (UI) recently hosted a delegation from Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) to discuss expanding academic cooperation. The focal point of the meeting was an exclusive invitation from HIT for Universitas Indonesia to serve as a key partner in the newly proposed China–ASEAN Digital Academy, an initiative designed to connect China and ASEAN nations to cultivate the next generation of global leaders.
The delegation from Harbin Institute of Technology was led by Prof. Qinyu ZHANG, Vice President, and was accompanied by:
The Universitas Indonesia delegation was led by Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, joined by:
During the session, HIT presented an overview of its prestigious institutional profile. Ranked 16th among Chinese universities by QS Global World Rankings, HIT operates three main campuses located in Harbin, Shenzhen, and Weihai. Originally founded as a graduate school, it has since expanded to offer comprehensive undergraduate programs. The Shenzhen campus, situated in what is often referred to as the “Silicon Valley” of China, provides students with unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge tech industries. Currently, HIT is home to approximately 14,000 students and over 1,200 academic staff, the majority of whom hold doctorates from abroad and possess extensive international experience.
Demonstrating its global reach, HIT boasts over 70 international partnerships and offers more than 30 English-taught programs. The university’s core research strengths lie in information science, large language models (LLM), smart healthcare, robotics, drones, future studies, architecture, and urban planning. Emphasizing its strong connection to Indonesia, HIT noted that there are currently over 180 Indonesian students enrolled in various programs, particularly in computer science, business, and architecture. Building on this foundation, HIT expressed a strong desire to expand its collaborative footprint with UI.
The discussion then shifted to the China–ASEAN Digital Academy. This ambitious initiative involves a tripartite collaboration between universities, government bodies, and the industrial sector, creating substantial benefits for developing nations and emerging markets. The primary areas of cooperation within the Academy include industry-integrated degree programs, AI+X human resource training, platforms for international scientific collaboration, certification and standardization initiatives, high-level exchange forums, and the establishment of liaison offices for international organizations.
To maximize the impact of this partnership, HIT outlined several active roles it hopes UI will undertake. These include recommending representatives for the Academy’s advisory committee, promoting the offered degree programs, nominating high-potential students, identifying one or two priority topics for specialized training, and recommending mid-to-senior officials or industry professionals to participate in these training sessions.
The meeting concluded positively, with both institutions agreeing to channel further technical discussions and implementation strategies through their respective designated contact persons.
Photo Credit: Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs
