Indonesia, Malaysia Agree to Deepen Research and Higher Education Cooperation
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in research and higher education, with a focus on food security, the green economy, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The agreement was discussed during a meeting in Indonesia between Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, and Malaysia’s Higher Education Minister, Zambry Abdul Kadir.
“This collaboration marks a strategic step to strengthen research and innovation in both countries in addressing global challenges,” Yuliarto said in a statement issued Tuesday. He underscored the importance of closer synergy among experts, researchers, and universities from both nations to ensure that academic research is translated into practical solutions for pressing public issues.
Kadir noted that Indonesia and Malaysia possess complementary strengths in the agreed priority sectors. “In principle, we have agreed to establish working groups comprising experts from both countries to advance the areas of cooperation,” he said.
Under the new partnership framework, both governments will engage selected universities and researchers affiliated with the Malaysia-Indonesia Academic Consortium (KAMI). Indonesia’s Directorate General of Higher Education has also initiated preliminary discussions with its Malaysian counterpart to define the scope and operational scheme of the collaboration.
During his visit, Kadir toured IPB University, where he met Malaysian students and explored potential joint programs in agriculture and food security.
The enhanced research and academic collaboration reflects Indonesia’s broader efforts to expand international partnerships, promote talent mobility, and leverage applied research to support national and regional development.
