Indonesia, Germany boost higher education ties

hartono · Feb 20, 2026

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto (right) and German Ambassador to Indonesia Ralf Beste (left) during a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday (February 18, 2026). /ANTARA/HO-Kemdiktisaintek.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has opened opportunities to strengthen the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Germany in higher education, research, and skilled workforce development.

The statement was delivered by Minister Brian Yuliarto during a courtesy visit by German Ambassador to Indonesia Ralf Beste at the ministry’s office.

“We share a long history together. We hope this cooperation can continue, including the dispatch of Indonesian students to Germany. Currently, interest among Indonesian students in participating in international programs in Germany continues to grow,” the minister said in a statement received on Friday.

Minister Yuliarto noted that Indonesia and Germany have maintained strong and long-standing cooperation, particularly in higher education and research.

He also encouraged the expansion of university partnerships, including joint degree and double degree programs.

The minister promoted the development of doctoral programs, joint research funding, and academic exchanges with Germany to support national priority programs in food security, renewable energy, clean water, industrial downstreaming, digitalization, and national defense.

In response, Ambassador Beste affirmed that strengthening educational cooperation and student exchanges remains a priority for the German Embassy in Jakarta.

He also highlighted a planned visit by the president of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who also serves as rector of the University of Cologne, as a potential forum for discussions with Indonesian university rectors to enhance institutional cooperation.

“We consider this one of our main responsibilities at the embassy, for the science attaché, the cultural attaché, and certainly for me as well, to increase student exchanges,” Beste said.