Alumni Association Highlights Indonesia-UK Education Collaboration

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Educational collaboration between Indonesia and the United Kingdom received a significant boost as the Indonesian Association of British Alumni (IABA) installed its new leadership for the 2025–2029 term in Jakarta, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

In an official statement released on Sunday, February 15, IABA Chair Triono Junoasmono explained that the association’s primary focus will be transforming alumni into active agents of academic and research synergy.

This initiative is designed to ensure that the global insights gained by British-trained scholars are directly applied to fostering innovation and strengthening the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Triono believe that the vast network of alumni holds the key to deeper bilateral ties. “British university alumni are expected to become a bridge for academic, research, and innovation cooperation between the two countries,” Triono stated in his official remarks, as quoted by Antara.

The inauguration ceremony for the 2025–2029 board was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Presidential Chief of Staff M. Qodari and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya. Deputy Minister of Finance Juda Agung was also present to witness the transition of leadership within the alumni organization.

M. Qodari, who is an alumnus of the University of Essex, encouraged British graduates to unite their strengths for the benefit of the nation. He urged the members to synergize and provide tangible contributions to national development, specifically through the enhancement of educational partnerships.

Minister of Education Brian Yuliarto noted that those who studied in the UK possess a unique set of skills that are highly valuable to Indonesia’s progress. “British alumni have academic excellence, global experience, and international networks that can strengthen university partnerships in both countries," he said.

The Minister emphasized that the government’s plan to strengthen collaboration between Indonesian and British universities will only succeed with broad-based support. He underscored that the initiative to encourage such partnerships “must be backed by all stakeholders.”

The inauguration event was attended by approximately 140 alumni board members representing various universities across the United Kingdom. IABA expressed its full readiness to collaborate with various alumni organizations and educational institutions, both domestically and abroad.

The organization remains committed to its core mission of supporting the improvement of Indonesia's human resource quality. By fostering these international links, IABA aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indonesian education and global competitiveness. ***