The University of Melbourne, one of Australia’s leading universities, visited the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI) once again on Monday (13/7) at the FTUI Dean’s Office Building, Universitas Indonesia, Depok Campus. The visit aimed to explore the expansion of academic collaboration in engineering education, including accelerated master’s (fast-track) programs, dual master’s degree programs, international undergraduate pathways, and industry-linked postgraduate research initiatives.
The delegation was welcomed by the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Akhmad Herman Yuwono, M.Phil.Eng., and the Manager of International Partnerships and Education of FTUI, Ir. Andyka Kusuma, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.
During the meeting, both institutions held in-depth discussions on the proposed Accelerated Master Program, which is expected to receive funding support from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). The formalization of this collaboration is targeted for October 2026, aligning with the LPDP application timeline scheduled for the same year.
“As an initial phase, the Civil and Environmental Engineering and Industrial Engineering study programs at FTUI are projected to become the entry point for this collaboration in 2026, with an estimated five students participating in the fast-track program. The proposed scheme includes an accelerated pathway following a 3.5+0.5+1.5 structure (approximately 5.5 years from bachelor’s to master’s degree completion), as well as a dual master’s degree pathway under a 1+1 structure, allowing students to spend one year of their master’s studies at FTUI and one year at the University of Melbourne,” said Prof. Akhmad Herman Yuwono.
The articulation partnership is not limited to these two study programs. FTUI and the University of Melbourne also explored opportunities to expand the collaboration to Electrical Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Energy Systems Engineering. Among these options, both institutions agreed to prioritize Energy Systems Engineering (1+1 scheme), Architecture (3.5+0.5+1.5 fast-track scheme), and Urban and Regional Planning (1+1 scheme) in the next phase of implementation.
One of the key points highlighted during the meeting was the shared partnership network between the University of Melbourne, FTUI, and PT PLN (Persero). The University of Melbourne has already established a collaboration with PLN. At the same time, FTUI currently partners with the state-owned electricity company in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering (with a focus on project management), and Energy Systems Engineering. This overlapping partnership creates opportunities for a tripartite collaboration, particularly in supporting future funding for the dual master’s degree program.
Beyond master’s programs, the University of Melbourne also introduced a 2+2 Bachelor of Science pathway for the Computer Engineering study program, leading to a Bachelor of Science Integrated (Honours) degree. Through this pathway, students would have the opportunity to earn two undergraduate degrees simultaneously: a Bachelor of Engineering (S.T.) from FTUI and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from the University of Melbourne. Before implementation, both institutions will first verify the accreditation status of the B.Sc. degree in accordance with the regulations of the relevant Indonesian authorities, as the degree has not yet been accredited domestically.
The meeting also introduced the University of Melbourne’s new Industry-Employed Research MPhil to PhD Program, a postgraduate research scheme designed for professionals currently employed in industry who wish to pursue advanced research degrees. Under the proposed collaboration, FTUI faculty members would serve as co-supervisors through a joint supervision arrangement. This initiative has the potential to strengthen FTUI’s applied research network with industry while creating new opportunities for FTUI academics to participate in international research supervision.
The visit marks another strategic step in strengthening the long-term partnership between FTUI and the University of Melbourne, particularly in expanding students’ access to internationally recognized engineering education. Both institutions are committed to following up on the outcomes of the meeting and formalizing the collaboration in October 2026.
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Public Communications Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
