(L-R) Ms Aprida (Expert Team, MOECRT), Dr Ahmad Gamal (Director of Innovation and Science Techno Park, UI), Dr Ali Bawono (Senior Researcher and Lecturer, TUM Asia), Mr Pramoda Dei Sudarmo (Special Staff to Minister, MOECRT), Mr Thomas Graf (Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy to Indonesia – ASEAN and Timor-Leste), Dr Markus Wächter (Managing Director, TUM Asia), Mr Nadiem Makarim (Minister of MOECRT), Dr Ilham Habibie (Chairman of Board of Trustees, The Habibie Center), Dr Suharti Sutar (Secretary General, MOECRT), Dr Abdul Harris (Directorate General of Higher Education, MOECRT), Dr Adul Muttaqin (Directorate General of Vocational Education, MOECRT), Ms Annisa Fitria (Head of Science and Technology Section, German Embassy to Indonesia – ASEAN and Timor-Leste), Ms Muji Rahayu (Deputy Director, DAAD Regional Office Jakarta), Mr. Anang Kristanto (Acting Head of Bureau of Cooperation and Public Relations, MOECRT), and Dr Andriansjah (Head of Research Planning and Development, UI).
On September 18, 2024, key representatives from Technical University of Munich (TUM) Asia, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (MOECRT) of the Republic of Indonesia, the German Embassy to Indonesia, the DAAD Regional Office Jakarta, and University of Indonesia (UI) gathered at the MOECRT office in Jakarta to mark the beginning of a new partnership. This collaboration aims to establish a dynamic network between TUM Asia and Indonesian universities, particularly in the fields of engineering and technology, paving the way for future innovations and academic exchanges.
After lengthy online meetings and discussions, this is the first in-person meeting for all the representatives.
During the group’s first in-person meeting, opened and led by Minister Nadiem Makarim, participants discussed the educational gaps this partnership aims to address, while exploring opportunities for future expansion. Mr. Thomas Graf from the German Embassy and Ms. Muji Rahayu from the DAAD Regional Office acknowledged the importance of international collaboration in education and expressed their commitment to supporting the initiative between the MOECRT and TUM Asia.
(L-R) Representing their organisation, Dr. Markus Wächter (Managing Director, TUM Asia) and Dr. Suharti Sutar (Secretary General, MOECRT) signed the LoI.
Representing TUM Asia was Managing Director, Dr Markus Wächter, and Secretary General, Dr Suharti Sutar, represented MOECRT to sign the Letter of Intent (LoI). The partnership reflects a shared commitment between TUM Asia and MOECRT to enhance higher education, vocational training and research. The LoI outlines a collaborative framework focused on advancing educational cooperation through initiatives such as faculty, staff, and student exchange programs, joint academic and non-degree programs, and collaborative research projects. In addition, specialized training programs will be introduced to further develop skills and knowledge.
The agreement also emphasizes the exchange of best practices and expertise in higher and vocational education, particularly in curriculum development and academic strategies. Both parties will implement capacity-building programs aimed at empowering educators and students with targeted training.
Looking ahead, this collaboration will remain adaptable, exploring emerging trends in education to ensure continued growth and innovation.
Dr. Ilham Habibie, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at The Habibie Center and a TUM alumnus, attended the signing ceremony. Drawing from his personal experience, he highlighted how a TUM education can elevate the competitiveness of Indonesian students and researchers on the global stage.
This partnership opens up new opportunities for Indonesian students and researchers to engage with TUM’s world-renowned engineering and technology programs. It also strengthens the exchange of expertise between Germany, Singapore and Indonesia, particularly in the realm of vocational and higher education. These joint initiatives are poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of a rapidly evolving global economy. Indonesian students are expected to visit TUM in Germany and TUM Asia in Singapore.
Following the signing with MOECRT, TUM Asia further solidified its presence in Indonesia by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Indonesia (UI), marking the start of a broader initiative to forge partnerships with leading universities across the country.
