Monash University Indonesia begins classes in Jakarta

Monash University’s Indonesian offshoot, which began teaching classes on Monday, is the country’s only fully-owned foreign university.

Monash University Indonesia's campus in Jakarta

Monash University’s Indonesia offshoot began teaching classes on Monday with postgraduate students in four areas of study – data science, public policy and management, business innovation and urban design.

The institution is Indonesia’s only foreign university and its president, renowned Asia scholar Andrew McIntyre, said that many challenges had to be faced to successfully launch in the midst of the pandemic.

Monash University Indonesia has a new campus in Bumi Serpong Damai, a satellite city on the edge of Jakarta, but classes will initially be online because of Covid-19 health regulations.

The new university, the first fully foreign-owned university licensed to operate in Indonesia, came after Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison signed a bilateral economic and trade agreement last year which will see Australia assist Indonesia to develop its infrastructure, education, and human capital.

“Our university and the Indonesian government have the same vision which is to create knowledge that can contribute broadly to the development of the social, technological and economic sectors in Indonesia,” Professor McIntyre told The Australian.

Asked whether Monash would fill gaps in Indonesia’s underfunded higher education sector, he said the new institution is not looking to “compete” with local universities.

“What we’re offering is something really different, especially since we’re focusing on postgraduate programs. Students tell me that they’re getting courses that accelerate their careers … Monash is really good at that. And the high-quality research that our academics produce makes a real contribution to what goes on in Indonesia.”

He said there had been a “consistently strong encouragement and good response” from the Indonesian government to help Monash overcome difficulties of establishing the new campus in the face of mobility restrictions and closed borders due to the pandemic.

“This is a good window of opportunity to bring international quality education to those who cannot pursue their study abroad programs because of the pandemic,” Professor McIntyre said.

Indonesian Education Minister Nadiem Makarim welcomed Monash University Indonesia and said that he hoped its graduates can “contribute broadly to the progress of the nation”.

The four initial areas of study will be followed up with others including cyber security and the creative economy – a field which reflects President Joko’s personal agenda.

The Monash Indonesia campus can accommodate 2,000 masters students and the university hopes to welcome them for face-to-face academic activities once coronavirus curbs are loosened as Indonesia’s Covid-19 emergency eases.