SMU champions collaborative education and research between Singapore and Indonesia
SMU recently hosted the third RI-SING University Network (RUN) meeting, bringing together leading educators from Singapore and Indonesia to advance cross-border collaboration in education, research, and human capital development. By fostering impactful partnerships, SMU reaffirms its role in addressing regional challenges and preparing future-ready talent to drive ASEAN's growth.
RI-SING, referring to the Republic of Indonesia and Singapore, brings together all six autonomous universities in Singapore as well as five leading public universities in Indonesia. The RUN serves as a platform for advancing educational exchanges and collaborative research initiatives that align with both nations’ growth and innovation goals.
As the rector of University of Indonesia, Professor Ari Kuncoro, noted, Singaporean universities – including SMU, which last December established an Overseas Centre in Jakarta – can play a critical role in advancing Indonesia’s human capital development.
This year’s meeting highlighted SMU’s commitment to fostering impactful partnerships that address complex regional challenges and prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.
Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU, in her opening remarks at the RUN meeting, said: “Indonesia, with its dynamic and rapidly expanding economy, offers tremendous potential for academic and research collaboration. By partnering closely with Indonesian universities and our fellow Autonomous Universities in Singapore, we aim to deepen [the] knowledge exchange that benefits both countries.”
Cross-border collaboration for regional development
International collaboration is high on the agenda for both sides. SMU already having started to explore collaboration with not only Indonesian University partners but also industry partners. Earlier this year, SMU teamed up with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to hold a “Study in Singapore” dialogue session in Jakarta.
This was the first time Singapore universities have come together, and more of such collaborative initiatives may be in the pipeline.
SMU also has ongoing collaborations with Indonesian universities that focus on human capital development through cross-border learning initiatives such as the Youth Mobility Programme (YMP) and the Human Capital Partnership Arrangement.
These initiatives help to facilitate student internships, offer invaluable learning experiences and equip students with the skills needed to excel in the workforce in an increasingly globalised world.
Besides this, the RUN network strengthens SMU’s partnerships with top Indonesian universities such as Universitas Indonesia (UI); Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB); Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM); Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology; and Institut Pertanian Bogor.
Students and staff can look forward to collaborative research, joint academic programmes, and student exchanges, providing opportunities to address shared regional priorities in fields like innovation, sustainability, and human capital development.
Looking ahead, SMU aims to continue expanding its collaborative efforts under the framework of the Human Capital Partnership Arrangement and the RUN network. The University aims to further develop postgraduate programmes, joint research initiatives, and professional continuing education that address regional needs and contribute to ASEAN's growth.
Milestone in strengthening Singapore-Indonesia ties
Discussions conducted during the meeting aimed to deepen existing collaborations by exploring new areas aligned with strategic priorities, expanding opportunities for students and faculty to participate in impactful exchanges and joint research, and developing a resilient academic network to address regional and global challenges.
Professor Faiz Syuaid, director for Research, Technology and Community Service of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology Indonesia, said: “This was a great platform for collaboration between the Singapore universities and their Indonesia counterparts. We should consider expanding the Indonesian university network to include universities based outside of Java Island.”
