Strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent has emerged as a key priority among regional countries as they move towards building knowledge-based and innovation-driven economies.
In this regard, Indonesia has stepped up international collaboration in higher education and research through strategic partnerships with foreign governments, universities and industry players, a move that also offers potential spillover benefits for the wider ASEAN region.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology recently formalised cooperation with the Government of Hungary through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme covering the 2026–2028 period. The agreement was signed in Jakarta on Monday.
Secretary General of the ministry Togar Mangihut Simatupang said the partnership reflects Indonesia’s commitment to expanding global academic networks while strengthening its national research ecosystem.
“The emphasis is on developing high-quality STEM talent, particularly engineers and scientists who can contribute to innovation and industrial competitiveness,” he said in a statement.
Under the agreement, Hungary will offer up to 110 scholarships annually to Indonesian students, with most placements allocated to doctoral-level studies. The initiative aligns with Indonesia’s policy to increase the number of doctorate holders among university lecturers, enhance research output and support science-based national development.
Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia Lilla Karsay described the scholarship as a long-term investment in bilateral relations through education, noting that the programme enjoys broad political support in Hungary.
Beyond full degree programmes, short-term non-degree scholarships of between two and six months are also available for lecturers and researchers, enabling focused research attachments and academic exchanges.
Both countries are also encouraging closer collaboration between higher education institutions through joint research projects, faculty and student mobility, and thematic cooperation in areas such as agriculture, energy, water management, food security, technology and downstream industries. As of May 2025, 85 active partnerships have been recorded between Indonesian and Hungarian universities.
Meanwhile, industry participation continues to play a vital role in STEM talent development. Global energy management company Schneider Electric has partnered Indonesian universities, including the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, to offer structured internships and early-career recruitment programmes across its operations.
Such university-industry collaborations underscore the growing importance of practical, industry-relevant training in preparing future-ready STEM graduates across the region.
-HR HUB
