Indonesia seeks Australia support to bolster education system

hartono · Feb 6, 2026

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) in a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (February 6, 2026). ANTARA/Maria Cicilia Galuh

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto invited Australia to play a role in strengthening Indonesia's education system by enhancing the capacity of teachers and educators.

This was conveyed by the president during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the two leaders' meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

"I invited Australia to support our efforts in strengthening Indonesia's education system through training and capacity-building programs for teachers and educators," he said, outlining the details of his meeting with Albanese.

According to Prabowo, these teachers and educators will be stationed at the new schools and universities currently under construction across Indonesia.

He also expressed his appreciation for the support that Australia has given through the Australia Awards Garuda Scholarship program, noting that it aligns perfectly with the goal of strengthening human resources in the education sector.

Beyond education, Friday's meeting also discussed the issue of skilled labor.

The president highlighted that Indonesia has competent human resources capable of helping meet Australia’s demand for skilled workers.

In this regard, he proposed expanding Mutual Recognition Agreements for professional certifications, which he said would allow Indonesian professionals to contribute more effectively to Australia's economy.

President Prabowo welcomed Albanese to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Friday to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two nations as close neighbors and partners.

He expressed his appreciation for the visit and also apologized for not being able to welcome the prime minister personally upon his arrival at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Thursday.

Albanese emphasized that Indonesia and Australia share an increasingly close relationship as both neighbors and friends.

He noted that this visit was not his first, adding that the frequency of such visits reflects the close relationship between the two nations.