Universitas Indonesia and the University of New South Wales Re-engage to Strengthen Academic, Research, and Community Partnerships

Universitas Indonesia (UI) hosted a delegation from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to re-engage and strengthen bilateral collaboration. The meeting underscored the shared values between the two universities, highlighting their mutual commitment as public institutions oriented towards serving the public good.

The delegation from the University of New South Wales was led by Prof. Colin Grant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Global. He was accompanied by:

• Ms. Jane Sloane – Director, Global Policy Initiative
• Ms. Nerida Dalton – Head of International Relations
• Nur Fatmah Syarbini – Country Director, Indonesia

The Universitas Indonesia delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, M.Si, Psikolog – Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation and was accompanied by:

• Fadhilah Muslim, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., DIC – Director, Internationalization of Education
• Chairul Hudaya, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D. – Director of High-Impact Innovation and Research
• Dr. L.G. Saraswati Putri, S.S., M.Hum. – Director of Community Engagement and Social Innovation
• Melati Ayu Antono – Section Head of Faculty Community Engagement, Directorate of Community Engagement and Social Innovation
• Sarah Khansa Agharid, S.Hum., M.Si. – External Grant Administrator, Directorate of Research Funding and Ecosystem
• Yunitha Fajarwati, S.Hum. – Section Head, International Education Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education

During the meeting, UI outlined its existing collaboration schemes, including dual degree and joint degree programs, expressing a strong desire to expand these frameworks to encompass more faculties in partnership with UNSW. Emphasizing community impact, the Director of Community Engagement and Social Innovation proposed strengthening ties through immersion programs. UI currently operates over 300 programs that directly engage with the community, and proposed initiating a cultural immersion program this year, alongside collaborative projects addressing climate change.

To lay the groundwork for this renewed partnership, UNSW suggested starting with a comprehensive mapping of compatible fields and faculties between the two universities. UNSW also expressed a keen interest in developing global research initiatives utilizing match-funding schemes. In response, UI requested a detailed list of UNSW faculty members and their respective research areas to better identify and develop concrete joint research opportunities. UNSW conveyed its deep appreciation for the diverse partnership avenues proposed by UI, ranging from research and joint degrees to student exchange programs.

Furthermore, UI expressed interest in establishing a specialized, tailored collaboration scheme with UNSW. Supporting student mobility, UNSW shared that it operates an International Student Board and maintains a list of partner countries whose students are eligible for a potential 20% tuition fee reduction.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to actionable next steps. UNSW will forward the necessary information regarding faculties and lecturers interested in collaborating. Following this, UI will arrange a subsequent meeting, inviting relevant faculty representatives for more detailed, technical discussions.

Photo Credit: Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs