Universitas Indonesia (UI) welcomed a high-level delegation from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) to strengthen academic, research, and community engagement initiatives between the two institutions. The meeting brought together senior leaders from both universities to discuss strategic opportunities for long-term collaboration.
The NTNU delegation was led by Prof. Yao-Ting Sung, Executive Vice President and Research Chair Professor, accompanied by eminent academics, including Academician Ovid Jyh-Lang Tzeng, Academia Sinica; Prof. Tzu-Chien Liu; Prof. Chen-Chien (James) Hsu; Prof. Zhen-Xing Lin; Assoc. Prof. Jun Ren Lee; Asst. Prof. Tsui-Chun Hu; and research representatives from the Higher Education Sprout Project Office: Dr. Jung-Mei Su; Dr. Ming-Huei Cheng; Dr. Pei-Ting Lin.
UI’s delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Hamdi Muluk, M.Si., Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, joined by Dr. L.G. Saraswati Putri, Director of Community Engagement and Social Innovation; apt. Roshamur Cahyan Forestrania, M.Sc., Ph.D Deputy Director of Research Funding, Directorate of Research Funding and Ecosystem; Dr. Muthia Pramesti, S.E., M.M. Assistant Director, International Education Program Development and Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education; Apt. Indah Handayani, S.Farm Head of Sub-Directorate for Property and Promotion, Directorate of High-Impact Innovation and Research; Ns. La Ode Abd Rahman, M.B.A. Head of Sub-Directorate for Community Empowerment and Social Innovation, Directorate of Community Engagement and Social Innovation; Widhyasmaramurti M.A., M.P.P. Head of Sub-Directorate for Community Empowerment Lecturers and Students, Directorate of Community Engagement and Social Innovation; and Yunitha Fajarwati, S.Hum Section Head, International Education Partnership, Directorate for Internationalization of Education
Dr. Muthia Pramesti emphasized UI’s intention to expand collaboration with NTNU in two major areas: education and research. UI proposed collaborative opportunities such as joint curriculum development, dual/joint degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and enhanced joint research and publication initiatives.
Prof. Saraswati expressed enthusiasm for developing community engagement programs, especially those focusing on climate change adaptation and community empowerment—areas where both Indonesia and Taiwan share significant challenges and potential for shared learning.
Dr. Roshamur noted that UI–NTNU publication collaborations from 2020 to 2024 have shown strong outcomes and meaningful academic impact. She highlighted further possibilities including joint research projects, visiting scholar programs, joint workshops, and international conferences.
NTNU outlined several proposed areas of cooperation, including:
University-level Memorandum of Understanding
Short-term student and faculty visits
Academic conferences and workshops
Student and faculty exchange programs
Joint research initiatives with funding sourced from both governments
Dual-degree pathways, including 3+2 bachelor–master programs and 1+1 master’s programs
Both institutions agreed on several collaboration modes, including bilateral seed funding for research initiatives, dual-degree establishment, and government-backed international projects.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to formalize the partnership through a university-level Memorandum of Understanding, which will serve as the foundation for upcoming academic exchanges and research collaborations. NTNU will also organize an online meeting with relevant UI faculties and units to further refine collaborative plans.
Universitas Indonesia looks forward to strengthening ties with National Taiwan Normal University through joint initiatives that advance academic excellence, impactful research, and community-centered collaboration.
Photo Credit: Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government and International Affairs
