EU partners with 10 Indonesian universities to expand academic cooperation

The European Union has partnered with 10 Indonesian universities through a new academic network aimed at expanding cooperation in higher education, research and student mobility between Indonesia and Europe.

The EU-Indonesia Network of University Partners (EUnUP) was introduced during the 18th edition of the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2026, held in Jakarta on Nov 7–8. The network has drawn up a roadmap for 2026–2030, setting out areas of cooperation between participating Indonesian universities and European higher education institutions.

The partnership will focus on developing teaching modules, strengthening academic research, exchanging knowledge and expanding student mobility.

It will also explore arrangements for recognising academic credits, allowing students to participate in exchange programmes while retaining credit for their studies at their home universities.

The 10 Indonesian institutions in the network are the University of Indonesia, Bina Nusantara University, Multimedia Nusantara University, Padjadjaran University, Parahyangan Catholic University, Diponegoro University, Gadjah Mada University, Airlangga University, Hasanuddin University and Nusa Cendana University.

The institutions are spread across several Indonesian regions, from Jakarta and Bandung to Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and Kupang.

Partnership to focus on green transition, AI and European studies

Under the roadmap, participating universities will work on educational modules covering European policies, governance, economics and technological developments. The proposed areas of study include the green energy transition, digital transformation, artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, trade, communication, democracy, gender equality and human rights.

The modules are expected to be adapted to the academic programmes and requirements of individual universities rather than offered as a single common course across all 10 institutions.

The network will also explore joint research projects and knowledge transfer between Indonesian and European academic communities. Student exchanges are another priority, with the proposed credit-recognition arrangements intended to support mobility between participating institutions.

European Union Ambassador to Indonesia Hervé Delphin described the network as a step towards a more structured and long-term academic partnership between the two regions. The initiative is also aligned with the EU's Global Gateway strategy, which supports investment in skills, research, innovation and human development.

Muhadi Sugiono, a representative of Gadjah Mada University in the partnership network, said the initiative could help connect Indonesian universities with European institutions while creating opportunities for cooperation among universities across Indonesia.

Erasmus+ already supports academic exchanges between Indonesia and Europe

The new network builds on existing education cooperation between the European Union and Indonesia, including exchanges supported by the Erasmus+ programme.

Since 2021, Erasmus+ has facilitated 1,089 student and university staff mobility opportunities from Indonesia to Europe and 1,182 mobility opportunities for European academics travelling to Indonesia, according to figures shared by the EU Delegation.

Indonesian universities have also participated in 19 Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes and 20 higher education capacity-building projects. In addition, 377 scholarships have been awarded to Indonesian students through Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.

The EU and its member states provide more than 1,000 scholarships annually to Indonesian students. More than 10,000 Indonesians were pursuing studies or conducting research in EU countries in 2025, according to the delegation.

The European Higher Education Fair, which featured 92 higher education institutions from 14 EU member states in Jakarta, provided prospective students with information about study programmes and scholarship opportunities. The fair was also held in Yogyakarta on Nov 4, attracting more than 5,000 visitors.

While the fair offered students access to information about studying in Europe, the EUnUP network represents a separate institutional initiative focused on longer-term academic cooperation. Its 2026–2030 roadmap sets out the areas in which Indonesian and European universities intend to develop partnerships over the coming years.