Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a strategic discussion with Singapore Management University (SMU) to explore opportunities for strengthening and expanding academic collaboration within ASEAN and beyond. The meeting focused on elevating the existing bilateral relationship into a broader multilateral partnership framework emphasizing sustainability, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Meeting Participants
Singapore Management University (SMU):
Mr. Matthew Lee – Director, International Office
Mr. Tau Wee Lim – Assistant Director, International Office
Ms. Lynda Tay – Manager, International Office
Universitas Indonesia (UI):
Fadhilah Muslim, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., DIC – Director of 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
Yunitha Fajarwati, S.Hum. – Section Head, International Education Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education
During the meeting, both institutions discussed the development of an Enhanced Partnership Framework, which aims to:
Elevate bilateral cooperation into multilateral collaboration involving regional and global partners
Focus on key strategic areas, including sustainability, digital technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship
Establish a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the expanded scope of collaboration
SMU indicated its intention to share a draft of the new MoU, with the goal of signing it during the APAIE Conference.
Several potential multilateral collaboration areas were highlighted, including:
Online Course Exchange Program (AUN-TEPL)
The meeting also discussed the AUN-TEPL Online Course Exchange Program, led by the University of Malaya in collaboration with SMU’s Centre for Digital Excellence. Under this scheme:
Another key initiative discussed was the AUN University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (AUN-UIE), which includes:
Annual meetings among AUN member universities and incubators
Programs such as incubation space exchange and virtual mentorship
A focus on resource sharing, cross-institutional engagement, and commercialization best practices
SMU expressed interest in developing tailored short course programs combining in-class learning, industry visits, and cultural activities. These programs require a minimum of 15 participants and can be customized based on partner proposals and SMU’s strategic priorities. UI plans to initiate this collaboration by proposing topics from selected faculties.
Both institutions also explored academic program collaborations, including fast-track, concurrent, or direct admission pathways to master’s programs. Scholarship availability was identified as a critical factor in enhancing student participation.
The discussion addressed challenges related to student mobility, particularly cost considerations in Singapore. Exchange programs with tuition fee waivers were identified as a more attractive option for students compared to semester-abroad schemes.
Beyond ASEAN, both UI and SMU expressed interest in expanding strategic partnerships with institutions in China, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and India, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging fields such as family business studies.
As a follow-up, SMU will extend an invitation for a courtesy dinner with the Rector of Universitas Indonesia during the APAIE Conference on 24 February, and both institutions will continue discussions toward finalizing and signing the new MoU.
Photo Credit: Directorate for Internationalization of Education
