RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The development of undergraduate and postgraduate distance learning became the centerpiece of diplomatic academic talks between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) and the National University of Malaysia (UKM) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. 

Held at the Ministry's office in Jakarta, the meeting addressed the implementation of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a primary tool for increasing higher education enrollment and quality. This strategic move is designed to ensure that Indonesia remains a proactive partner in the regional education sector, shifting the focus toward collaborative degree programs and shared digital resources that benefit the wider Southeast Asian community.

The Secretary-General of Kemdiktisaintek, Togar M. Simatupang, expressed his appreciation for UKM's commitment to driving digital learning innovation and the internationalization of higher education in the region. "ODL is a new platform, a new means not only to reach our students but also to educate the public in a flexible way," he stated in a press release in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Togar emphasized that Indonesia is fundamentally open to the development of cross-border distance education. The government already possesses a regulatory framework that recognizes distance learning as part of the national higher education system, provided it meets quality standards, accreditation, and learning outcome equivalency.

The Secretary-General also stressed the importance of linking higher education cooperation with regional talent mobility and labor market needs. "This is in line with the policy direction of Impactful Higher Education, Science, and Technology, where international cooperation is directed toward creating a real impact on increasing human resource competence, strengthening graduate competitiveness, and contributing to national and regional development," Togar said.

The Director of Learning and Student Affairs at Kemdiktisaintek, Beny Bandanadjaja, further explained that the recognition of foreign qualifications, including those via ODL, is conducted through a diploma equivalency mechanism. This process refers to the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI) to ensure the alignment of levels, learning quality, and academic recognition in Indonesia.

The Ministry aims for these programs to be implemented through institutional partnerships with national universities to provide broader added value. "Kemdiktisaintek also encourages that the implementation of ODL be developed through institutional partnerships with national universities, thereby providing broader added value, including career opportunities for graduates in the ASEAN region," Beny stated.

Through this meeting, the Ministry hopes to realize collaborations in joint degrees, dual degrees, joint curriculum development, and micro-credentials. This approach is considered vital to ensuring that Indonesia does not merely serve as an education market but acts as a strategic partner in developing the regional higher education ecosystem.

Currently, UKM is noted for its various partnerships with several Indonesian universities, including Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), and Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas). Kemdiktisaintek expects this exploration to be the initial step toward an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN higher education partnership that expands access to quality education through digital transformation. ***

​https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5409322/kemdiktisaintek-dorong-pendidikan-terbuka-jarak-jauh-lintas-negara