RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - For Muhammad Apri Yansyah, education is more than a personal pursuit; it is a mission to bridge worlds. After eight years of study in China, the Indonesian student dreams of channeling the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) expertise he has gained abroad into the growth of Indonesia’s industries.

“My biggest wish after completing my master’s degree is to close the gap. I want to bring the technical STEM skills I’ve learned in China and apply them to Indonesia’s industrial development.," ,” Apri said in Changsha on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Currently enrolled in a master’s program in metallurgical engineering at Central South University (CSU) in Hunan Province, Apri is immersed in one of China’s leading institutions for metallurgy, rail transport engineering, and medical sciences. He believes the experience offers not only advanced technical knowledge but also invaluable international connections that could help Indonesia keep pace with rapid technological change.

Apri points out that many of Indonesia’s strategic projects already rely on Chinese technology, making it crucial for Indonesian professionals to understand the systems and innovations driving them. His interactions with international students and researchers in China have further strengthened his resolve to act as a bridge for future collaboration.

His journey began with a diploma program in Guangxi, followed by a bachelor’s degree at the China University of Petroleum in Beijing under a Chinese Government Scholarship. He later advanced to CSU, drawn by its strong reputation in mining, metallurgy, civil engineering, and railway technology.

Apri acknowledges the challenges of studying in China, from grappling with scientific terminology in Mandarin characters to meeting professors’ demands for precise research results. Yet he also praises the country’s competitive academic environment, modern facilities, and integration with industry, which ensure that classroom learning remains relevant to global needs.

Looking ahead, Apri hopes Indonesia will establish clear pathways for returning graduates to contribute their expertise. He envisions collaborative platforms linking overseas students with domestic researchers, supported by adequate funding for global-level research.

CSU itself has forged ties with the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and Chinese nickel company CNGR, offering intensive training programs for Indonesian personnel. These partnerships, expanded in 2025 to include the Bandung Polytechnic of Energy and Mining, combine academic study with hands-on industry experience -- an approach Apri believes could be a model for future cooperation.

Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia, Djauhari Oratmangun, has echoed this optimism, noting the growing number of Indonesian students in China and the potential for deeper educational and cultural exchanges. One proposal under discussion is the establishment of an Indonesian cultural center at CSU, which would serve as a hub for fostering ties between the two nations.

For Apri, however, the vision remains personal: to ensure that the knowledge he has gained abroad does not stay confined to the classroom but instead becomes a force for Indonesia’s progress. ***