The University of Indonesia (UI), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) appear in the top 500 prestigious universities in the world. In Asia, the University of Indonesia ranks 67th, while the Institute of Technology and Gadjah Mada University landed in 86th and 105th position, respectively.

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2017/2018 was recently released, including 959 universities in 84 countries. UI rating rose to 277th (up 48 positions), ITB ranked 331st, and UGM rose to 402nd (up 99 positions). The survey uses six indicators in its scoring system, with academic reputation making up 40 percent of the entire score. Other indicators are employers’ reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty and international students.

UI Rector Muhammad Anis said this ranking confirmed of the return of UI's expertise as the nation's best university in the fields of Social Humanities, Health, and Science-Technology. The university will continue to improve the quality of teaching, community service, and engage in cutting-edge research to contribute to creating Indonesia's competitive and superior values. Head of UGM Quality Assurance Office, Indra Wijaya Kusuma, said that in the previous assessment period, UGM was still ranked the world’s 501st. Therefore, this year's leap shows the amount of commitment and hard work that has been done by all UGM academicians in improving their activities at UGM. In future, Indra continued, UGM has a challenge to continue the progress of this year's achievement for the sustainability of quality improvement. Therefore, improvements should be made in all aspects, especially aspects of UGM research, publications and citation.

Commentary by Audrie Adriana Sanova, British Council Indonesia, SIEM Programme Manager, audrie.sanova@britishcouncil.or.id

The higher education minister has said he was optimistic Indonesian universities can be more competitive on the global stage, taking into account the improving positions of its top universities in a recently released world ‘s best list.

As Indonesian universities are currently eager to improve their rankings, this can be a good opportunity for UK Universities to come to Indonesia and approach them with partnership offers.
Other than academic reputation, employers’ reputation, faculty-to-student ratio and citations per faculty, Indonesian Universities currently need to increase their international faculty, publication and international students to increase their accreditation and world ranking. Hence, partnership offers from overseas universities would be appealing, especially if partners are from the UK.

Examples of common partnerships in Indonesia are student exchange, staff exchange, joint publication, double degree programme and joint degree programme. UI, UGM and ITB have established several partnerships with overseas universities but are still open to other possible partnerships.

Source:
- https://acdpindonesia.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/3-universities-enter-worl...