Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a meeting with representatives from Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) to explore opportunities for strengthening academic, research, and community-focused collaboration between UI and universities in Queensland, particularly The University of Queensland (UQ). The meeting was led by Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs of Universitas Indonesia.
The TIQ delegation comprised Shannon Leahy, Senior Trade Commissioner for Southeast Asia; Boyd Whalan, Trade and Investment Commissioner for Indonesia; and Irma Irsyad, Principal Business Development Manager – Education. Universitas Indonesia was also represented by Dr. Muthia Pramesti, S.E., M.M., Assistant Director for International Education Program Development and Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education.
During the discussion, both parties highlighted the strong academic and research relationship between UI and UQ. UI was acknowledged as an important research partner, with hopes that UQ could further encourage its students to participate in study programs at UI. TIQ also emphasized that UQ has several schools in key areas such as technology, health, agriculture, and marine sciences, which present significant potential for collaboration with UI.
The meeting explored opportunities to identify complementary strengths, including potential cooperation in battery manufacturing research, where both institutions could address existing gaps through joint initiatives. UI reaffirmed its commitment to research collaboration that focuses on solving societal challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the field of medicine, UQ’s strong expertise was noted as a potential area for collaboration, particularly considering UI’s existing cooperation with the University of Melbourne. Both parties discussed opportunities for joint medical research at the UI–UQ Collaboration Center located in the Science Techno Park (STP). The Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine were identified as priority faculties for future cooperation.
TIQ also conveyed UQ’s long-term vision of building sustainable and meaningful partnerships. As an initial step, both sides agreed that guest lectures across various faculties could serve as a practical and impactful starting point. Additional possibilities discussed included community development programs, joint research funding, and collaboration within UI’s World Class University (WCU) Community Development initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing mutually beneficial collaboration through gradual, concrete initiatives that foster long-term academic engagement between Universitas Indonesia and Queensland partners.
Photo Credit: Directorate for Internationalization of Education
