Emphasizing the spirit of Independent Learning – Merdeka (Independent) Campus, Universitas Indonesia (UI) opens the widest possible access to education for Indonesian and foreign students. One of these efforts is shown through collaboration between UI and world’s best universities. For these efforts that have been made so far, the Ministry of Education and Culture awarded the IKU 6 (study program in collaboration with world-class partners) to UI at the Twenty-First Episode of Merdeka (Independent) Learning: University Endowment Fund.
One of the steps taken to strengthen the collaboration with global partners, on Tuesday (28/6/2022), Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Deakin University Australia signed a work agreement in the aim to improve education. “Universitas Indonesia is increasing the number of its collaboration with many partner universities in Australia, including Deakin University. We develop and make more international involvement in many schemes, such as short-term programs, government programs, study visits, as well as the involvement of staff and lecturers in mobility programs in Australia. We are very happy that Deakin University can collaborate with Universitas Indonesia (UI) again and hopefully with the signing of this memorandum of understanding, all faculties and schools at these two universities can arrange programs that will be run in the future, said Secretary of UI University, dr. Agustin Kusumayati, M.Sc., Ph.D in his opening speech.
Meanwhile, Deakin University also sees the importance of international collaboration because it is a bridge between the community and the world, and reminds Universitas Indonesia and Deakin University about the importance of rebuilding the relationship that was lost several years ago. “For that, there are several challenges that must be faced. We talked about many very important things about our university, such as sustainability, new energy, water management, and environmental management. There are many similarities between our universities, we are thinking about how to make the campus a good living environment and not only beneficial for the university but also the society,” said Vice Chancellor–Deakin University, Prof. Iain Martin.
In this collaboration, Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Deakin University will act as home universities and host universities. These two terms are used to refer to the university of origin and destination of study. As home universities, Universitas Indonesia and Deakin University must send the best undergraduate and postgraduate students who have met the qualifications to attend education at the host university. The number of students sent must be balanced. Undergraduate students from UI must have completed the first 2 years of study before the start of the exchange period, while postgraduate students and researchers must have completed 1 year of study at UI.
This student exchange lasts for 1 semester or 1 academic year. Participants are registered as non-degree students at the host university so that students do not obtain degrees or other formal qualifications from the university. All participants are only registered as full-time students at the home university. Each student must determine the course of study or courses at the destination university. Universitas Indonesia International Office and Deakin University International Office will assist and advise on courses that international students can take before the program starts. During their studies, exchange students will receive assistance from the host university to find suitable accommodation. However, each student is responsible for their own accommodation costs. Each participant must also comply with the rules and procedures applicable at the destination university. If there is a violation of the rules, it will be handled according to the policies and procedures established by the relevant university.
Every student is required to have health insurance that is valid in the country of destination. For Universitas Indonesia students, they must apply for the insurance before applying for an Australian visa.
Regarding tuition fees, students only pay tuition to home universities. There are no tuition fees charged by the host university. Students are responsible for other costs except for academic fees, including international travel expenses, books, health insurance, meals, visas, accommodation, living expenses, and other incidentals. After going through the study period, each university will send academic transcripts of each student to the home university according to the applicable rules and regulations. These academic scores will later be input into the student’s semester credit.
This memorandum of understanding is expected to be developed for collaboration in the form of student and academic staff exchanges, research, and available courses so that students from all over the world can join various online courses. In accordance with the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universitas Indonesia is currently focusing on efforts to transition to environmentally friendly energy, digital transformation, and improving world health. Universitas Indonesia hopes that in the future Deakin University can collaborate in these three fields.
At the signing of the collaboration at the UI Rectorate Building, Depok Campus, the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Logistics Universitas Indonesia, Vita Silvira, S.E., Ak., MBA., CA.; Head of the International Affairs Office UI (KUI), drg. Baiduri Widanarko, M. KKK, Ph.D.; Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto; Deputy Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs at Faculty of Computer Science Universitas Indonesia, Ari Saptawijaya, Ph.D., Head of Sub-Directorate for Academic and Government Cooperation, Directorate of Partnerships, Dr. Eko Sakapurnama, S.Psi., MBA; Head of Sub-Directorate for Research Cooperation Development, drg. Masita Mandasari. Ph.D. Sp.PM.; and the Head of Public Relations and KIP Bureau, Dra. Amelita Lucia, M.Sc.
From Deakin University came the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (International)–Deakin International, Mr. John Molony; Pro Vice-Chancellor, International Research Partnerships-Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research–Deakin University, Prof. Baskaran; Country Manager–Deakin International, Ms. Lina Darliana; Partnership Coordinator–Deakin International, Mr. Sebastian Gunawan; and Admission Coordinator–Deakin International; Mr. Zaky Muftada. .
