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We have a huge opportunity to support Indonesia ’ s development objectives and make a positive difference to our region .
Monash set to become first overseas university to crack Indonesian market .
By Wade Zaglas
Next year Monash University aims to become the first
overseas university to break into the Indonesian market , with a new campus delivering both postgraduate and doctoral qualifications .
The campus will help to foster more collaboration between Australia and its close neighbour . Professor Abid Khan , Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President ( Global Engagement ) at Monash University said the university ’ s links with the country go as far back as half a century .
“ We ’ ve been working with Indonesia since the 1960s and have graduated more than 11,000 Indonesian students ,” Khan said .
“ We are heavily engaged in joint research projects in Indonesia that address development goals .”
One such example is the Australia Indonesia Centre ( AIC ), which is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( DFAT ) and hosted by Monash . The AIC is a consortium of four Australian and seven Indonesian universities that was established in 2014 and “ advances people-to-people links in science , technology , education , innovation and culture ”.
Other examples of Monash ’ s research collaboration with Indonesia is the World Mosquito Program and the Revitalisation of Informal Settlements and Environment ( RISE ) program , dedicated to improving water sanitation and boosting community health .
After collaborating with Indonesia for some time , Monash University established the Monash Indonesia Representative Office ( MIRO ) in 2016 . This coincided with the Indonesian government ’ s willingness to “ open up the higher education sector to overseas institutions ”.
“ The time was right to imagine a bigger presence for Monash in Indonesia ,” Khan said .
“ We wanted to collaborate with industry and other organisations , and this led to discussions about graduate and doctoral programs in areas that are important to Indonesia ’ s economic and urban growth .”
As the university worked through “ regulatory complexities ”, Australian Embassy officials from Austrade , the Department of Education , Skills and Employment ( DESE ) and DFAT also provided Monash University invaluable advice and support .
Professor Andrew MacIntyre , Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor ( Southeast Asia Partnerships ), Monash University , said : “ The Ambassador and broader Australian Embassy team has been with us all the way .”
“ By bringing stakeholders together at the Ambassador ’ s residence , the team have also helped us to access and work with key decision-makers ,” MacIntyre said , who has been spearheading the campus establishment work .
“ The Embassy team provided insight and advice on Indonesia ’ s regulatory and commercial landscape . They facilitated networking events , liaised with Government of Indonesia officials , and helped to develop and promote new course offerings .
“ We want our research and innovation hub in Jakarta to be exceptionally well-connected to Industry .”
The new Monash University campus , located in Jakarta , is expected to open in 2021 and be co-located with national and global companies to foster successful education and research links . The university says it can deliver its programs in physical , virtual or flexible modes , depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country at the time .
“ We have good bona fides in terms of delivering virtual education ,” MacIntyre says .
“ We hope to offer a mix of short courses and professionaldevelopment programs . Our research will be focused on topics that impact Indonesia , and promote sustainable development .”
MacIntyre believes the new Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement ( IA-CEPA ) will also help improve prospects for a Monash University campus . “ IA-CEPA will help us achieve our long-term objectives ,” he says . “ The Agreement identifies themes for cooperation that are close to our heart . It opens up the commercial and scientific environment to more intense collaboration .”
The IA-CEPA is anticipated to promote greater opportunities and investment in health care for both countries , recognising Monash has a “ leading global capability in medicine and health-related disciplines ”.
Additionally , Monash ’ s new campus will play a pivotal role in up-skilling the professionals of Indonesia ’ s future , through industry collaboration with some “ top industry partners ”.
“ We want to keep building capability and capacity in areas such as urban development , public policy , information technology , and business innovation ,” MacIntyre says .
“ We have a huge opportunity to support Indonesia ’ s development objectives and make a positive difference to our region .”
Indonesia Minister for Education and Culture , Nadiem Makarim , told Monash Lens : “ I am very pleased Monash University will establish a branch campus in Indonesia .
“ This will help accelerate the strengthening of our education system and deepen the social , economic and technological links between Australia and Indonesia . This partnership will be the first out of many other partnerships to come .” ■
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