Indonesia, UEA Explore Cooperation in Digital Talent and Higher Education

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is exploring strategic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in digital talent development, academic mobility, and the strengthening of research and innovation. The discussion took place during a meeting between Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and representatives of the UAE Embassy in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.AS

As quoted by the ministry’s official website, Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie, stated that the internationalization of higher education is a key step in improving the global competitiveness of Indonesian universities.

“We want to expand the presence of international students in Indonesia, as this plays an important role in enhancing the reputation and global ranking of universities,” Stella said.

According to her, increasing the number of international students in Indonesia can contribute to the reputation of higher education institutions while strengthening the position of Indonesian universities in various global rankings.

“The presence of international students also enriches diversity and broadens global perspectives within the academic environment. This dynamic can encourage universities to continuously improve the quality of learning,” she added.

As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is preparing to establish a Center for Foreign Students. The initiative aims to strengthen services, coordination, and the promotion of Indonesia’s higher education sector for international students.

During the meeting, both sides also discussed plans for visits by UAE students to Indonesia, as well as other cooperation opportunities, including double degree programs, joint research collaborations, and faculty exchange between universities in the two countries.

Chargé d’Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Indonesia, Shaima Salem Alhebsi, expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s commitment to expanding cooperation in higher education. She said the UAE welcomed the initiatives discussed, particularly those related to student mobility and academic collaboration.

Beyond higher education cooperation, the meeting also explored potential collaboration in digital talent development through the 10 Million Coders program initiated by the UAE government. The program aims to enhance young people’s capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and coding as part of efforts to strengthen digital transformation and the knowledge-based economy.