In a landmark forum, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology underscored the role of human capital and set new directions for collaboration and scholarship.

Yogyakarta — The Agency for Higher Education Service, Region V, held a dialogue with Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in collaboration with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The event, hosted at the UMY Student Dormitory on March 19, drew representatives from 100 private universities across the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

In his remarks, Setyabudi Indartono, head of the agency, reported on the latest developments among private higher education institutions. He pointed to declining enrollment as a pressing challenge that requires stronger inter-university cooperation.

“Enrollment decline has become a shared concern,” Setyabudi said, noting that in the past three months the agency and private universities had signed 99 memorandums of understanding, 192 memorandums of agreement, 204 implementation agreements, and 99 commitments. He added that the region is targeting 26.5 percent of programs with ‘Unggul' (excellent) accreditation by 2024, and 51.15 percent by 2028.

Minister Brian, in a warm address, praised the contribution of private universities in shaping the nation’s students. He stressed that human resources are key to advancing industrial collaboration. “Advanced industries require strong human resources,” the minister said.

The minister also announced a significant policy shift in the government’s LPDP scholarship program: rather than sending students abroad for full degrees, the new model will keep students in Indonesia while requiring one year of international research experience.

As the session closed, Setyabudi expressed hope that such dialogues would become a regular forum to strengthen partnerships and accelerate the quality of private universities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Public Relations, Agency for Higher Education Service, Region V