Indonesia-UAE Strengthen Higher Education, Digital Talent Collaboration Ties

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is deepening its partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in higher education, research, and digital talent development, as both countries look to expand academic mobility and innovation.

The Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology highlighted these priorities during a meeting with representatives of the UAE Embassy in Jakarta on Monday, March 9, 2026.

Deputy Minister Stella Christie underscored the importance of attracting more international students to Indonesia, noting the impact on global rankings and institutional reputation.

“We want to expand the presence of international students in Indonesia because it plays a vital role in strengthening the reputation and position of our universities in global rankings,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

Stella added that international students contribute to diversity and broaden perspectives within Indonesian universities, encouraging institutions to continuously improve the quality of education.

To support this, the ministry is preparing to establish a Center for Foreign Students, aimed at enhancing services, coordination, and promotion of Indonesian higher education to the global community.

The meeting also discussed plans for UAE students to visit Indonesia, participating in academic activities and exploring local universities to better understand the country’s education system, culture, and opportunities for further study.

Both sides explored additional avenues of cooperation, including double degree programs, joint research projects, and faculty exchanges. These initiatives are expected to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem in both countries.

Chargé d’Affaires of the UAE Embassy in Jakarta, Shaima Salem Alhebsi, welcomed the proposals and expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s commitment to expanding higher education collaboration.

The UAE also highlighted its 10-Million Coders program, designed to boost youth capacity in artificial intelligence and coding as part of its broader digital transformation and knowledge-based economy agenda.

By combining academic mobility with digital talent development, Indonesia and the UAE aim to build a more integrated and globally competitive higher education ecosystem while preparing their young generations for the demands of the future. ***