https://arab.news/44jx4
- Kingdom is among top destination countries for Indonesian students
- Indonesian minister eyes more research projects with Saudi universities
JAKARTA: Indonesia aims to strengthen academic, scientific, and research ties with ֱ, its Ministry of Higher Education said on Thursday, following talks on future collaboration with the Kingdom’s envoy to Jakarta.
Indonesia’s Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto met with Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Faisal Abdullah Amodi on Wednesday to discuss plans for cooperation in higher education between their two countries.
“We are committed to expanding cooperation between Indonesian and Saudi universities,” Yuliarto said in a statement.
“We hope that more Indonesian professors can collaborate with their counterparts at the top Saudi universities, partnering in more programs and research projects.”
Further talks are expected to take place after Eid Al-Fitr, involving rectors from Indonesian universities, the ministry said.
There are currently more than 2,000 Indonesians studying in ֱ, which is one of the top destination countries for young scholars from the Southeast Asian nation.
Saudi-Indonesian ties span centuries, but have gained momentum in recent years following King Salman’s visit to Indonesia in 2017, which has since sparked more bilateral exchanges.
In education, cooperation includes exchange programs and Saudi scholarships for Indonesian students.
ֱ’s higher education sector is observing a boom and becoming globally competitive and innovative, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Focusing on quality, international partnerships, STEM education, and research, ֱ is positioning itself as a leader in education in the Gulf region.
ֱ has also sponsored the development of multiple schools and universities in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.