Universitas Indonesia (UI) welcomed Professor Alexander D. McLellan from the University of Otago, New Zealand, for a strategic academic discussion aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation through joint degree and double degree programs, research collaboration, and academic mobility.
Professor McLellan, an immunologist from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, met with representatives from UI, including:
Fadhilah Muslim, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., DIC, Director for Internationalization of Education
Munawar Khalil, S.Si., M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D., Manager of Internationalization and Global Ranking, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Dr. Muthia Pramesti, S.E., M.M., Assistant Director of International Education Program Development and Partnership
dr. Tiara Bunga Mayang Permata, MARS, Ph.D., SpOnkRad(K), Coordinator for Alumni Relations and Career Development Center (CDC), Faculty of Medicine
Indah Susanti, S.Hum., M.M., Coordinator for International Relations Office, Faculty of Medicine
dr. Radiana Antarianto, MBiomed, Ph.D., Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine
The meeting focused on exploring the implementation of joint and double degree programs within the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at UI. Discussions included collaboration in international class programs, particularly for students in the fields of biochemistry, biology, and chemistry. These programs are envisioned to be aligned with accreditation standards, such as those from the Royal Society.
Key areas of collaboration under consideration included:
Development of joint or double degree programs at the undergraduate level, particularly in biochemistry and medical sciences
Consideration of an honors thesis requirement for B.Sc. programs
Flexible degree structures, including models such as 1+2+1 or 3+1, to complete a four-year undergraduate program
Curriculum mapping and integration between both institutions
A tuition reduction of at least 25 percent for participating students
Student exchange agreements and the enhancement of student mobility
Opportunities for Otago students to visit UI for short courses in tropical medicine and global health, with customized content
Staff exchange programs to foster faculty collaboration and capacity building
Leveraging UI’s experience with Erasmus+ to support student and staff mobility
Both institutions expressed a strong interest in moving forward with concrete agreements to support academic exchanges, particularly in areas where UI has strong institutional experience, such as tropical health, medical research, and global partnership programs.
This meeting marks a significant step toward expanding international opportunities for students and faculty at both universities, with plans to begin drafting agreements and mapping academic programs in the near future.
Photo Credit: Directorate for Internationalization of Education
