Indonesia and France Explore Strategic Cooperation in Higher and Vocational Education
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and France are actively exploring new avenues to strengthen their bilateral partnership, with a particular emphasis on advancing cooperation in higher and vocational education, as well as key strategic sectors.
The prospects were discussed during a meeting held on Monday between Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, and French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, Minister Yuliarto expressed Indonesia’s determination to align its national development agenda with France’s technological and educational expertise. He identified food and energy security, defense technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor manufacturing as priority areas for collaboration.
“We believe that France and Indonesia are currently enjoying positive momentum for expanding cooperation, especially following President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Jakarta,” Yuliarto stated.
He proposed expanding academic exchanges through student mobility programs, including joint supervision and double degree initiatives. He also acknowledged the strengthening of ties through the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), which now includes support for doctoral-level studies in partnership with French institutions.
Deputy Minister Stella Christie highlighted additional prospects in vocational education, particularly in strengthening linkages between Indonesian polytechnics and vocational senior high schools with their counterparts in France. She noted that Indonesia is actively pursuing reforms aimed at enhancing the quality and global relevance of its vocational training programs.
Ambassador Penone responded positively to the proposals, reaffirming France’s long-term commitment to deepening partnerships with Indonesia. He praised Indonesia’s emerging role on the global stage, describing the country as having a strategic capacity and potential comparable to that of India and Brazil.
The French envoy also emphasized the importance of developing a clear cooperation roadmap to guide future bilateral initiatives and ensure the effective implementation of joint projects.
Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and coordination in order to accelerate the realization of shared goals in education and strategic technological cooperation.
