UI hosted the visit of the Head of German Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) to Indonesia, which was held by Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), the German Academic Exchange Service. The meeting between 20 universities that are members of the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Germany and 11 leading Public Universities (PTN) in Indonesia.
UI Chancellor, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D, said that matchmaking activities are more than just introductions. This activity opens up opportunities for academic collaboration in teaching and research between Indonesia and Germany and realizing intentionality that connects various institutions. Why matchmaking? Because students, teachers, and communities in the world are connected. “They benefit from the synergy we are creating now,” said Prof. Ari.
Matchmaking activities are divided into two sessions. The first session was attended by representatives (president/vice president) from 20 German universities with deans/directors of UI faculties, schools, and vocation programs. Meanwhile, the second session was attended by 11 Indonesian Public Universities and 20 German universities. The eleven universities include UI, Diponegoro University, Institute of Technology Bandung, Syiah Kuala University, Hasanuddin University, Jember University, Padjadjaran University, Institute of Technology Sepuluh November, IPB University, Brawijaya University, and Gadjah Mada University, with Lampung University and Airlangga University as observers.
There are 20 German universities taking part in this activity. They are the Technical University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg; OTHTechnical University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden; Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck; University of Applied Sciences Münster; Merz Akademie Stuttgart; University of Applied Sciences Heilbronn; IB University of Applied Sciences for Health and Social Studies Berlin; University of Applied Sciences Hannover; University of Applied Sciences Kiel; HM Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences; University of Applied Sciences Harz; University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern; University of Applied Sciences Merseburg; HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management Berlin; Technical University of Applied Sciences Ostwestfalen-Lippe; University of Applied Sciences Stralsund; Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences; University of Applied Sciences Ernst-Abbe Jena; University of Applied Sciences Rhein Main; and the University of Applied Sciences Mainz.
Collaboration between Indonesia and DAAD has continued since DAAD Indonesia was founded in Jakarta in 1990. According to the Deputy Secretary General of DAAD–Bonn and Berlin, Dr. Michael Harms, DAAD is a funding organization for academic collaboration that funds individual scholarships for students, researchers, and staff and provides funds for collaboration between universities. For almost 35 years, Indonesia and DAAD have collaborated to support the implementation of learning in Indonesia and Germany.
In this matchmaking, four things need to be discussed: excellence in teaching, excellence in applied research, the power between industry, business, and companies and universities, and focus on employability. “Through this matchmaking, hopefully, we can find the right pattern of collaboration between Germany and Indonesia, especially in the academic field,” said Dr. Michael.
Director of the DAAD Regional Office Jakarta, Dr. Guido Schnieders, further said that DAAD considers the Independent Learning Campus program to have great potential to be developed as a real partnership program between universities from the two countries.
UI has established three pillars in developing international partnerships: Research Excellence, Student Mobility, and Community Engagement. Their facilities and competencies are fertile ground for discoveries in various fields, such as sustainable energy, health service innovation, and digital transformation. UI students can expand their knowledge through exchange programs, joint degrees, and collaborative projects. In addition, universities collaborate with local, national, and global communities to encourage inclusivity and expand contributions to society.
The matchmaking activity was also attended by the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at UI, Prof. Dr. rer. Nat. Abdul Haris, Secretary of UI University, dr. Agustin Kusumayati, M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of Section International DAAD Academy (iDA), Alema Ljumanovic-Hück; and the ranks of deans/directors/representatives from participating faculties/universities.
