Jakarta (ANTARA) – The European Union (EU) and Indonesia are strengthening their higher education cooperation through the 18th edition of the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2026, held in Jakarta on November 7-8.
Beny Bandanadjaja, Director of Learning and Student Affairs at the Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, underscored the role of academic cooperation in facilitating access to information and international networks for young people.
“Cooperation between Indonesian and European higher education institutions offers students the opportunity to gain international academic experience, broaden their horizons, and establish networks,” Bandanadjaja said in his remarks at the opening of EHEF in Jakarta on Saturday.
Hervé Delphin, the EU Ambassador to Indonesia, said the EU attached great importance to its partnership with Indonesia in higher education.
“In line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, we remain committed to investing in people, skills, research, and innovation to build trusted and enduring partnerships,” he said.
Each year, the EU and its member states provide more than 1,000 scholarships to Indonesian students. In 2025, more than 10,000 Indonesians were pursuing studies and research across the EU.
“EHEF offers an important platform for prospective students to engage directly with European universities and to explore the many academic and scholarship opportunities available in Europe,” he added.
According to Delphin, education plays a crucial role in ensuring equal access to skills and knowledge, thereby creating employment opportunities, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
“This has been a reciprocal exchange between Indonesia and Europe,” he added.
The ambassador expressed hope that the partnership would continue to flourish through the active engagement of universities and academic communities in both Indonesia and Europe.
“This partnership aims to strengthen higher education, deepen understanding between Europe and Indonesia, and foster collaboration across various sectors to address global challenges,” he said.
Prior to the Jakarta event, EHEF 2026 was also held in Yogyakarta on November 4, attracting more than 5,000 visitors.
The Jakarta edition of EHEF features 92 higher education institutions from 14 EU member states, alongside Indonesia’s Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) and the Beasiswa Garuda program, both funded by the Indonesian government.
Since 2021, the EU-funded Erasmus+ program has continued to strengthen educational ties between Indonesia and the European Union through academic exchanges and institutional cooperation.
The program has facilitated 1,089 student and staff mobilities from Indonesia to the EU and 1,182 mobilities from the EU to Indonesia.
Erasmus+ aims to attract at least 350,000 students from outside the EU by 2030, as outlined in the Communication on the Union of Skills.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Primayanti
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