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Education | Higher Education
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International Students

Indonesia's Higher Education Sector: Aiming to Become a Top Destination in Southeast Asia

The Indonesian government has been focused on revamping its higher education sector in recent years to keep pace with global competition from its neighbours such as Malaysia and Thailand.

Studying Abroad in Indonesia for International Students

As Indonesia becomes an increasingly important pillar in the global economy given its promising economic outlook, setting it on course to be the world’s 7th largest economy by 2030 and its position as by far the largest economy in ASEAN, it is naturally attracting the interest of international students.
Quality Education

Indonesia’s Tertiary Education Sector: Aiming Higher

The Indonesian government has launched various programmes and incentives to improve the quality and competitiveness of local universities. These collective efforts are focused on accelerating the country’s development in becoming a knowledge-based economy and tackling the looming threat of youth unemployment.

An Overview of the Indonesian Education System

Indonesia’s education system has made incremental improvements over the past decade through extending the age of compulsory education. What the sector requires now is a significant shift in approach away from rote learning and theory based methods towards independent thinking and analysis by students.

Second Class: Indonesia’s Higher Education Sector In Need of Reform

Coupling research and higher education is good news for the development of research in Indonesia but has not done wonders for the reform of its higher education institutions.

Higher Education: Indonesian Academia Must Open Up

The shortage of talent is often cited by foreign investors as an obstacle for doing business in Indonesia. Without significant improvement in the education system, companies will find it increasingly hard to source professional and managerial staff, and the country as a whole will fail to realize its economic potential.

Indonesia’s Brain Drain Pains

Indonesia in recent years has been criticised for its inability to retain the country’s brightest minds and now runs the risk of suffering from a widening gap to its key ASEAN competitors in innovation, technological advancement and scientific discovery.
Research

Opportunities for Research Collaboration in Indonesia

While Indonesian research and development output lags behind its regional neighbours, the country’s renewed approach to the issue through the development of the new Research and Development and Higher Education Ministry should facilitate improvements as well as open up opportunities for partnerships.

Making Research & Development Part of Indonesia’s Vision for Growth

Indonesia’s vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy and shifting away from a reliance on natural resources will depend on its commitment to increasing its R&D spending drastically and ensuring that funds are spent effectively.

Cooperating with Industry on Education & Research

Indonesia’s universities place a strong focus on ensuring graduate employment by maintaining close links with businesses for work experience and internships, however this relationship is not always reflected in cooperation for research.

Vocational Education

Vocational Education in Indonesia; Crucial to Compete in the ASEAN

Indonesia is currently undergoing a transition phase as it develops to become a knowledge based economy. Skills are seen as significant obstacles in this respect, and the country’s government is investing more in the development of the nation’s education and training system.

Indonesia Education Snapshot

Number of Tertiary Education Institutions: 4,445 (2016)
Type: 91.5% Private, 8.5% Public
Students in Higher Education: 4,941,574 (2016)
Net Enrolment Rate in Tertiary Education: 22% (2014)
Relevant Law: Higher Education Law No. 12 of 2012 provides universities with the autonomy to set their own tuition fees and authorising the set up of foreign universities in partnership with Indonesian institutions.