Universitas Indonesia (UI) welcomed a high-level delegation from Charles Darwin University, Australia, to discuss potential collaborations in education, research, and student mobility. The meeting underscored both universities’ shared commitment to enhancing Indonesia–Australia academic partnerships.
The Charles Darwin University delegation was led by Professor Scott Bowman AO (Order of Australia), Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Darwin University, accompanied by:
Ms. Shannon Holborn, Vice-President Global and External Relations
Professor Dominic Upton, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health
Dr. Nathan Franklin, Associate Vice-Chancellor, Indonesia
Ms. Ivy Chung, Associate Director, International Student Growth
From Universitas Indonesia, the delegation included:
Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs
Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, M.Si., Vice Rector for Research and Innovation
Prof. Arie Afriansyah, S.H., M.I.L., Ph.D.. Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs
Astari Dwiranti, M.Eng., Ph.D., Acting Director of Research Funding and Ecosystem
Nurhayati, S.Kom., Head of Cooperation and Venture Unit, Faculty of Humanities
apt. Delly Ramadon, M.Farm., Ph.D., Manager of Cooperation, Venture, and Alumni Relations, Faculty of Pharmacy
Dr. Muthia Pramesti, S.E., M.M., Assistant Director, International Education Program Development and Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education
Yunitha Fajarwati, Section Head, International Education Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education
During the meeting, both universities discussed strategic initiatives to expand student exchanges, academic collaboration, and joint research activities. The Australian government has actively encouraged CDU to deepen partnerships with UI, reflecting Darwin’s geographical proximity and long-standing people-to-people connections with Indonesia.
Professor Bowman highlighted that Darwin is the closest Australian capital city to Indonesia, with only a three- to four-hour flight distance, and home to a vibrant Indonesian community. He emphasized CDU’s commitment to providing accessible, globally oriented education built on three core values:
Affordability – CDU is among the most affordable universities in Australia;
Employability – Graduates benefit from strong job opportunities and career support;
Safety – The university guarantees a safe and inclusive environment for all students, including those from overseas.
CDU also offers a 30% scholarship for international students, underscoring its dedication to fostering academic diversity and inclusion.
Both universities identified several potential areas of collaboration, including:
Joint research projects and publications
Joint supervision programs for postgraduate students
Visiting scholar and researcher initiatives
Collaborative workshops, seminars, and conferences
The meeting concluded with a shared interest in formalizing a student exchange agreement and developing long-term, mutually beneficial programs that contribute to academic excellence and international cooperation between UI and CDU.
Photo Credit: Directorate for Internationalization of Education
