Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Ristek Dikti) representative, Paulina Pannen, was reported as saying that the government was in the process of reviewing regulations regarding the establishment of foreign universities in Indonesia, in order to promote quality education and to better attract foreign students. According to press reports, (Jawa Pos 15.7.17), Pauline Pannen added that, “Foreign higher education providers are able to establish a campus in Indonesia so long as the programme they are offering is not available in Indonesia”. The statements were made at a press conference held during the Indonesian International Offices Forum in Surabaya.

During her presentation to the Forum, she also stated that Ristek Dikti does now recognise distance learning degrees, so long as the student presents evidence that they have fully participated in the course.

Although the reports refer to foreign universities being allowed to establish a campus, following clarification by the British Council, Paulina Pannen later stated that foreign universities are still not allowed to open a commercial branch campus, but that they could provide courses in partnership with Indonesian universities. Although there is currently no implementing regulation that allows for either a branch campus or the provision of a foreign degree on Indonesian soil, Paulina Pannen suggested that a degree could be accrued via the mechanism of credit transfers. The student would receive an awarding certificate from both Indonesian and the foreign institution. It was suggested that Australian institutions have been actively lobbying for the opening of branch campus/teaching provision on Indonesian soil. Paulina Pannen was not expecting an implementing regulation to be issued in the near future, however all TNE regulations are being reviewed.

In an interview published in PIE News, The Deputy Director for Higher Education Cooperation, Purwanto Subroto stated that there will be opportunities to open branches in the future, but unfortunately not as yet. A law that makes it possible for foreign universities to establish themselves in Indonesia already exists, hence now the ministry is focusing on creating the relevant regulations.

Commentary by Teresa Birks, Director of Education and Society, British Council Indonesia:

The Indonesian government is keen on reviewing and extending TNE/internationalisation of HE regulations and practices. Key drivers are increasing the quality of the Indonesian HE sector, attracting foreign students, extending the range of courses available in country and reducing the amount of money spent on scholarships sending Indonesian students and academics overseas. However there are a number of both political and logistical barriers and although Ristek Dikti is committed to internationalisation and its goals for the sector, progress may yet be slow.

That said, a number of barriers exist in practice only, not because they are explicitly regulated against or because they have yet to be supported by an implementing regulation. In this case all the government needs to do is change their practice. However this is not always announced as a policy change. The recognition of distance degrees is a case in point. Paulina Pannen told British Council that no new regulation or announcement had been made regarding the change in policy, but was as a result of an internal decision.

For UK HEIs looking to establish a presence in Indonesia, these are positive signs and there are opportunities for HEIs to identify ways of providing their degree courses in Indonesia. Delivery costs and students fees will remain as a potential barrier unless Ristek Dikti and/or LPDP are willing to support such courses with scholarships.

Sources
• https://www.pressreader.com/indonesia/jawa-pos/20170715/282394104494415 (Indonesian)
• https://thepienews.com/pie-chat/purwanto-subroto-ministry-of-higher-educ...