Universitas Indonesia (UI) recently welcomed a courtesy visit from Pukyong National University (PKNU) to discuss the enhancement of educational collaborations between Indonesia and South Korea. The strategic meeting focused on expanding various student mobility frameworks, addressing scholarship opportunities, and exploring broader academic partnerships.
The delegation from Pukyong National University included:
The Universitas Indonesia delegation was represented by:
During the dialogue, both institutions emphasized their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral academic ties. Pukyong National University introduced its robust institutional profile as a prominent national university located in Busan, hosting approximately 24,000 students and boasting flagship strengths in engineering, logistics, and marine sciences. UI similarly reaffirmed its strategic dedication to expanding global cooperation and increasing its international student body.
The discussion extensively covered a variety of student mobility schemes, including one-semester exchanges, postgraduate (Master’s) pathways, and seasonal short-term initiatives such as summer and winter schools. Both parties agreed that short-term programs serve as the most realistic and effective stepping stone to boost Indonesian student participation in the early stages of this renewed collaboration. To maximize engagement, these programs will be designed with high flexibility, carefully considering duration, associated costs, and participant capacity.
Addressing the financial realities of international mobility, the meeting tackled the cost of living for international students in South Korea. The delegates explored potential financial support models, subsidies, and the highly sought-after Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). Acknowledging the intense competition for the GKS, both institutions stressed the importance of utilizing strategic recommendation tracks to improve students’ chances of success, alongside developing more practical support frameworks for students during their stay in Korea.
Beyond student mobility, the universities expressed a strong mutual interest in deepening their partnership through faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, and collaborative academic programs between specific departments. To formalize these ambitious plans, both parties agreed on the necessity to renew their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to promptly follow up on the pending Agreement of Implementation (AoI).
To ensure the success and visibility of these collaborative programs, the meeting concluded with an agreement on a dynamic promotional strategy. Comprehensive program information and admission procedures will be actively disseminated through UI’s international website and online channels. Furthermore, the promotional efforts will leverage modern digital strategies, including social media campaigns, short-form videos, YouTube Live sessions, and potential collaborations with influencers to capture the interest of Indonesian students. As an immediate next step, both universities will prioritize launching campaigns for short-term programs while simultaneously developing customized mobility options tailored to student needs.
Photo Credit: Directorate for Internationalization of Education
