Indonesia, France Deepen Cooperation in Higher Education, Research and Technology

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and France are strengthening cooperation in higher education, science and technology following an agreement by the two countries’ leaders to expand research collaboration and academic exchanges.

The initiative follows Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to France in late May, during which he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders agreed to enhance partnerships in research, innovation and academic cooperation to address development challenges faced by both nations.

Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, welcomed the expanded partnership, highlighting the potential for combining Indonesia’s rich biodiversity and mineral resources with France’s technological expertise and research capabilities.

He said the collaboration could drive innovation, support industrial downstream development and generate practical solutions that benefit both countries.

Yuliarto also emphasized the importance of increasing academic mobility, noting Indonesia’s interest in attracting more foreign professors and researchers to teach, conduct joint studies and establish stronger research networks with Indonesian universities.

“We are opening broader opportunities for French professors and researchers to become visiting professors at Indonesian universities,” he said.

French Ambassador to Indonesia Fabien Penone described education, research and academic mobility as key pillars of the strategic relationship between the two countries. He said France remains committed to expanding research cooperation and encouraging greater participation from French research institutions.

Meanwhile, Valerie Verdier, chief executive of the Institute of Research for Development, noted that the institution has maintained partnerships with Indonesian universities and research centers for more than five decades.

Among IRD’s Indonesian partners are Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Institute of Technology and IPB University, along with several other academic institutions.

Existing cooperation spans a wide range of fields, including geoscience, disaster mitigation, maritime studies, biodiversity, environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Both sides expressed optimism about expanding joint research projects, researcher exchanges, academic mobility programs and collaborative initiatives supported through joint funding mechanisms.

The discussions also explored future cooperation in emerging and strategic sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space technology, nuclear technology and other advanced scientific fields, reflecting the growing depth of Indonesia-France relations in research and innovation.