As part of its efforts to expand global partnerships and strengthen its position as a world-class research university, Universitas Indonesia (UI) conducted an official visit to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the world’s leading research universities, on Tuesday, May 6.
The UI delegation was led by the Rector of UI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, and was welcomed by UCLA’s leadership team, including Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost Prof. Darnell Hunt; Vice Provost for International Studies and Global Engagement Prof. Cindy Fan; and Assistant Vice Provost for International Collaborations Kathryn Paul.
The visit aimed to explore opportunities for strategic collaboration, including a visiting professor program from UCLA to UI, scholar exchange programs, and short courses delivered by UCLA at UI. It also aimed to strengthen cooperation within the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)—a network of leading universities in the Asia-Pacific region to which both institutions belong.
“International collaboration is not only about academic mobility but also about building a shared research and innovation ecosystem. We see UCLA as a strategic partner in realizing UI’s vision of becoming a globally recognized university,” said Prof. Heri Hermansyah.
The UCLA leadership welcomed the initiative and suggested starting the collaboration through the UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, particularly involving members of the Indonesian diaspora, such as Dr. Juliana Wijaya, who teaches in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at UCLA.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering UI, Prof. Dr. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, also expressed his enthusiasm for the potential multidisciplinary collaboration, especially in engineering, technology, and sustainability. “We recognize a shared spirit between UCLA and UI in driving innovation to address future challenges,” he stated.
Also part of the UI delegation were Dr. Fadhilah Muslim, Director of Education Internationalization at UI; Dr. Ing. Ir. Dalhar Susanto, Vice Dean of Resources, Ventures, and General Administration at the Faculty of Engineering UI; and Dr.rer.pol. Ir. Romadhani Ardi, S.T., M.T., Manager of Student Affairs and Alumni at the Faculty of Engineering UI.
This visit is part of UI’s broader internationalization mission to the United States, emphasizing the importance of long-term collaboration in higher education, research, and global innovation.
***
Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia
