Indonesia, Yemen Explore Stronger Higher Education Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Yemen are exploring stronger cooperation in higher education and research by expanding student exchanges, academic collaboration, and human resource development. Indonesia's Minister Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, said educational ties between the two countries have been established for many years.

He noted that many Indonesian educators had studied in Yemen, and the government is also encouraging more Yemeni students to pursue higher education in Indonesia. "Many Indonesian educators studied in Yemen and received an excellent education. We also invite Yemeni students to study in Indonesia, particularly in STEM fields whenever possible, so that educational cooperation between our two countries can continue to grow," Brian said as quoted by the official website of Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia, Salem Ahmed Balfakeeh, said that around 8,000 Indonesian students are currently studying at universities and educational institutions across Yemen.

In contrast, only about 270 Yemeni students are currently pursuing their studies in Indonesia. According to the ambassador, this indicates room to further expand academic mobility between the two countries.

As part of efforts to strengthen educational ties, the Yemeni government also expressed its readiness to facilitate the visa process for Indonesian students and academics. In addition, the Yemeni Embassy proposed restoring Yemeni students' access to Indonesia's Developing Countries Partnership Scholarship (KNB) through a mutually agreed selection mechanism.

Beyond student exchanges, both sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in research, curriculum development, human resource capacity building, and exchanges of educators and academic officials to further strengthen the educational partnership between Indonesia and Yemen.