Indonesian, Chinese Universities Expand Academic Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Beijing - Universities in Indonesia and China are expanding international collaboration through academic programs and scholarships. The initiative is expected to boost student exchanges, joint research, and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Ten universities from Indonesia and China took part in the online seminar “Internationalization of Higher Education: Indonesia–China”, showcasing flagship programs to prospective international students. The forum also served as a platform to strengthen bilateral relations through education, research, and academic mobility.

“This event not only serves as a promotional platform for Indonesian and Chinese universities but also strengthens academic cooperation between the two countries,” said Education and Culture Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, Lestari Puspitaningsih, in a statement on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Lestari added that the seminar opens broader opportunities for students from both countries to gain international academic experience through study programs, exchanges, and scholarship schemes.

She also noted that the Chinese Affiliate of Teachers and Practitioners of Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (APPBIPA), established on June 12, is the seventh branch of the organization for Indonesian language teachers for foreign speakers.

“We are striving to engage professional associations of Mandarin educators in Indonesia, as well as several Indonesian and Chinese universities. Expanding academic collaboration is part of strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and China through education, research, and the mobility of students and faculty,” Lestari said.

APPBIPA China Chair Hendy Yuniarto noted that interest among the Chinese public in learning Indonesian continues to rise alongside growing economic, educational, and cultural ties between the two countries.

Indonesian Mandarin Language Educators’ Professional Association (PPBMI) Vice Chair Fitriya also observed that the trend of learning Mandarin in Indonesia has continued to grow in recent years.

Chinese Education Attaché to Indonesia Chen Wu emphasized that educational cooperation is a vital foundation for future bilateral relations. “Increased student and faculty mobility will foster research collaboration, innovation, and the development of higher-quality human resources,” he said.

The forum, attended by about 304 participants, featured five universities from each country. The Indonesian participants were Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Universitas Andalas (UNAND), and Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD).

China was represented by Hebei International Studies University (HISU), Xiamen University, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University (FPNU), Northeast Normal University (NENU), and Hefei University of Technology (HFUT).

Each university promoted its academic excellence, research, innovation, and international programs to expand the Indonesia–China educational network. ***