Indonesia seeks brain gain through joint degree and research programs

Indonesia is exploring the expansion of international university partnerships through Joint Degree and Joint Research programs to bolster national competitiveness and achieve ‘brain gain’. During a focus group discussion in Jakarta organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK), Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Indonesia, and the Bicara Data Indonesia Foundation, experts discussed how these instruments can bridge the gap between global talent and national development needs.

Ojat Darojat, Deputy for Coordination of Education Quality Improvement at Kemenko PMK, emphasized that talent development must be paired with an ecosystem capable of talent retention and acquisition. While Joint Degrees provide students and faculty with international academic networks, Joint Research is viewed as a way to expand researcher collaboration and produce knowledge tailored to Indonesia’s specific requirements.