The Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Menristek Dikti) Mohammad Nasir has announced that a number of foreign universities will be allowed to operate in Indonesia from this year. There are five to ten foreign universities that are preparing to open in Indonesia.

Nasir stated that some overseas universities have expressed their interest to operate campuses in Indonesia, including the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland.

Minister Nasir explained that the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristek Dikti) is newly providing this opportunity for foreign universities to operate in Indonesia but under some conditions.

He added that interested foreign universities must collaborate with private universities in Indonesia. The government will also determine the location as well as determining the priority study programmes. Science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business, and management are programmes that will be priority for collaboration. Furthermore, only foreign universities with high quality standards will be considered and their local branch must be placed in a designated strategic region or city.

Nasir reiterated that foreign universities’ operation in the country would benefit Indonesian students as they would be able to study in the world`s top universities but in their home country. In addition foreign universities operating in Indonesia would be expected to attract foreign students to study in the country. The presence of foreign universities in Indonesia is being encouraged partly to spur competitiveness among private universities.

A merger scheme for substandard private universities has been proposed by Minister Nasir to further help ensure that Indonesia maintains a competitive higher education system.

The Indonesian government will allow foreign universities to operate within the country with a capital involvement of up to 67 percent.

Commentary by Lisa Wilianto:

This new Indonesian government policy will open more opportunities for UK universities to explore the possibility to have presence in the Indonesian market in collaboration with local private universities. However, as this is still in the initial stage, more updates on the policies are anticipated.

In addition in January 2018 both Minister of Research Technology and Higher Education Nasir and Minister of Education and Culture Muhajir Effendi led delegations to the Education World Forum and had ministerial meetings in London. The main outcome of this will be the British Council’s convening of a new Joint Working Group to consolidate and develop UK-Indonesia opportunity and joint purpose.

Sources:
https://tirto.id/menristek-10-kampus-asing-akan-beroperasi-di-indonesia-...
http://koran-sindo.com/page/news/2018-01-30/0/0/Selamat_Datang_Universit...
The Jakarta Post, Monday 12 February 2018 Page 4