WNAM REPORT: The governments of Indonesia and Russia have explored opportunities to enhance their bilateral cooperation, with a special focus on higher education, science, and technology.
According to a statement here on Tuesday, Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto expressed optimism about strengthening collaboration between universities and research institutions in both countries.
“We are also hoping for the immediate execution of collaboration programs, such as within a forum of rectors,” he remarked while hosting Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov in Jakarta on Monday (May 26).
Yuliarto explained that the proposed forum would act as a platform for driving cooperation in various key areas, especially those related to research, professor exchanges, and doctoral student mobility between the two nations.
The minister noted that President Prabowo Subianto has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that advancements in research, science, and technology lead to tangible benefits for the public.
“Our focus lies on priority fields, such as food security, sustainable energy, clean water availability, industrial downstreaming, defense technology, and semiconductors. We hope these areas will become the core of Indonesia-Russia collaboration in the face of global challenges,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, Yuliarto suggested that both countries facilitate joint degree programs for doctoral students.
“We are convinced that this type of collaboration will help us speed up human capital development and facilitate the creation of beneficial and innovative technologies,” he stated.
Ambassador Tolchenov emphasized that the Russian government is elated over the growing number of Indonesian citizens applying for public scholarships in his country.
He also assured Yuliarto that Russia stands ready to facilitate further bilateral discussions and cooperation with Indonesia.
Indonesia and Russia are currently working on various collaborative initiatives, including student exchanges, professor visits, joint seminars and science conferences, joint research, and co-development of curricula and academic programs.
