(Unila): Lampung University (Unila) held a webinar entitled “Opportunities for Collaboration between Indonesia and Australia” as a strategic step in strengthening cooperation between universities.
The event, initiated by the Unila Cooperation Division, took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, online via the Zoom meeting platform.
The main speaker at the event was the Education and Culture Attaché (Atdikbud) of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, Prof. Yuli Rahmawati, M.Sc., Ph.D.
In her presentation, Prof. Yuli emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships between Indonesian and Australian higher education institutions.
She outlined various opportunities for cooperation in the fields of education, research, and culture that could promote the internationalization of Indonesian education while strengthening relations between nations.
By 2025, there will be 2,723 cooperation documents between Indonesian and Australian universities, including Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), and Implementation Agreements (IA).
Forms of educational collaboration include various schemes, such as double degrees, joint degrees, sister schools, student mobility, staff exchanges, and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
Furthermore, Prof. Yuli said that opportunities for cooperation are also wide open in the fields of research and innovation through funding support from various institutions such as DFAT, KONEKSI, BRIN, and the Australia–Indonesia Institute.
Priority research areas include renewable energy, food, water, and education. In the cultural sector, collaboration is realized through cultural performances, language diplomacy, and the Indonesian Goes to School program, which integrates Indonesian language into learning in Australian schools.
In terms of human resource development, various scholarship programs are the main drivers in strengthening academic relations between the two countries.
The Australia Awards and LPDP Australia Awards Bundling Program are the main schemes for Indonesian students and professionals to continue their studies at leading Australian universities.
In addition, there are also the Indonesia Bangkit Scholarship, Garuda Scholarship, and various regional and ministerial scholarship programs that support cross-border education participation.
Through these initiatives, the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra is also encouraging the establishment of centers of excellence and educational consortia such as the Australia–Indonesia Teacher Education Consortium to strengthen teacher capacity and educational research.
International community service programs and visiting lectures conducted by Indonesian lecturers in Australia are also an important part of education diplomacy that has a direct impact.
“This collaboration is not just an academic exchange, but also a bridge of culture and friendship between nations,” said Prof. Yuli Rahmawati.
She emphasized that through the synergy between education, research, and culture, Indonesia can strengthen its position at the global level while advancing the quality of national education.
“I have always believed that good intentions are always open to collaboration and become a means of strengthening. For those who have networks, I am ready to facilitate and communicate so that future development cooperation initiatives can be realized, not only with large campuses but also with all available opportunities to improve the quality of education,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Unila’s Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Information Systems, Prof. Dr. Ayi Ahadiat, S.E., M.B.A., explained that the opportunity for cooperation with universities in Canberra began with policy discussions aimed at encouraging Unila to achieve the status and quality of a World Class University.
According to him, activities such as this open up many opportunities for lecturers, educational staff, and students to engage in international academic networks.
“The Australian government has various collaboration programs, including Australia Awards Indonesia, which has a very competitive and selective selection process,” said Prof. Ayi.
He further explained that with the spirit of Impactful Campus, the University of Lampung continues to be committed to expanding its network and strengthening international collaboration.
Through cooperation in education, research, and culture, Unila hopes to contribute to producing a young Indonesian generation that is superior, adaptive, and ready to compete at the global level. [Gandhi Irawan]
