Universitas Indonesia (UI) recently hosted a distinguished delegation from Kyungpook National University (KNU) to discuss the impending renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and student mobility agreement, which are set to expire in July 2026. The meeting served as a strategic platform to elevate the partnership, with a strong focus on boosting student mobility, enhancing global university rankings (QS WUR), and forging innovative collaborations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital education.
The delegation from Kyungpook National University was led by Dr. JUNG Soon Ki, Vice President for Research, 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 dialogue, both institutions emphasized their commitment to significantly increasing student mobility. UI highlighted its robust offering of 36 international undergraduate programs—spanning both single and dual degrees—which mandate a study abroad component. UI also extended an invitation for KNU students to complete their 3rd or 4th-year programs at UI, noting that its international programs are fully taught in English. To further facilitate these exchanges, both parties discussed potential funding mechanisms for postgraduate students, including scholarships and tuition fee waivers or reductions.
KNU, located in Daegu and ranked 3rd in the THE Impact Rankings with International Education Quality Assurance System (IEQAS) certification, presented its ambitious AX (AI Transformation) Initiative. Positioning itself as an AI Hub University, KNU proposed the development of an International AX Double Degree Program (Master/Ph.D.) featuring joint supervision. The collaboration will strongly focus on advanced fields such as AI, AI Robotics, Future Mobility, and Semiconductors, with plans to incorporate short programs and internships.
UI responded enthusiastically, identifying an immediate synergy with the Faculty of Computer Science (Fasilkom), which recently launched a new Artificial Intelligence study program. Beyond double degrees, the discussion highlighted a customized collaboration model targeting Indonesia’s specific industrial needs, introducing “convergence majors” where AI is combined with specialized elective fields.
In the realm of research, the institutions agreed to leverage the KNU Researcher Networks and Global Matching Lab Programs to facilitate 1:1 research matching with KNU visiting professors. The strategic focus will be placed on strong STEM subjects, particularly Engineering and Computer Science, aiming to match top-tier professors (targeting an h-index of 70 for STEM and 50 for Social Humanities). UI also noted its existing successful research ecosystem, referencing current lab collaborations with Daewoong Pharmaceutical through the Directorate of Research Funding and Ecosystem (DPER) at the ILRC.
The meeting also explored digital education advancements through the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program. Both universities proposed developing blended learning models and joint online courses, specifically suggesting topics like “Korean-Indonesian Cultures” and “AI Technology Literacy.”
To translate these strategic discussions into concrete actions, UI and KNU agreed on a clear roadmap. The immediate next step involves listing specific areas of interest to develop comprehensive dual degree frameworks at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels. Initial efforts will prioritize the Faculty of Computer Science and the Faculty of Engineering, with follow-up online meetings scheduled between the faculties of both universities to conduct detailed curriculum mapping and finalize program structures.
Photo Credit: Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs
