January 21, 2026 | 04:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto invited universities from the United Kingdom to collaborate with Indonesia. Prabowo expressed his desire for these universities to establish ten new campuses in Indonesia.
Prabowo extended the invitation during the UK-Indonesia Education Roundtable at the Lancaster House in London on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. This forum was part of President Prabowo's state visit to the UK this week.
Prabowo stated that he wants universities in the UK to help establish international-standard campuses in Indonesia that use English as the medium of instruction. "I want to adopt the English standard, which is the highest education standard from the best universities in the UK," Prabowo said in a statement from the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Currently, Prabowo mentioned that universities from the UK have collaborated with several Indonesian campuses, such as the University of Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University. Some UK universities, Prabowo said, have also established campuses in Indonesia, such as King's College London in Singhasari, Malang, East Java, and Deakin Lancaster University in Bandung, West Java.
Prabowo sees this educational collaboration as meeting Indonesia's needs in the field of science and technology. "So, we want to accelerate, we want to catch up, we must have the highest level of education, on par with the best in the world," said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party.
According to Prabowo, Indonesia currently faces many challenges in science and technology, including a severe shortage of medical professionals, such as doctors and dentists. The president noted that Indonesia is still short around 140,000 doctors, despite the fact that only 9,000 medical graduates are produced each year.
In response to these challenges, the government plans to build ten new universities focusing on medical education, dentistry, pharmacy, and science and technology. Prabowo stated that the students admitted would come from the best graduates and receive full scholarships from the government.
Prabowo mentioned that the students will undergo intensive English language training before starting their studies. The Indonesian government also plans to collaborate with the British Council, including the implementation of the IELTS English language standard.
During the UK-Indonesia Education Roundtable at Lancaster House, President Prabowo met with several officials from the UK government and prominent figures from UK universities. The representatives of the universities present included those from the Russell Group, which comprises 24 leading research-based universities in the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.
Prabowo expressed optimism that preparations for establishing British campuses in Indonesia will go well. Therefore, he believes that the new universities will start admitting students in 2028.
Read: Prabowo Says UK Backs Indonesia's Plan to Build 1,500 Fishing Vessels
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Prabowo Nephew Nomination Risks BI Independence, Says Economist
43 menit lalu
President Prabowo has nominated his nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, for the position of Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI).
Prabowo Says UK Backs Indonesia's Plan to Build 1,500 Fishing Vessels
1 jam lalu
President Prabowo aims to increase seafood consumption in Indonesia, including through maritime cooperation with various countries.
Prabowo Meets PM Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street
3 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto meets UK PM Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street to discuss maritime economy, defense partnerships, and education ties.
Fact Check: Is Trump Moving 1 Million Israelis to Papua?
4 jam lalu
Fact Check - There is no credible evidence to support claims that Donald Trump plans to relocate one million Israelis to Papua, Indonesia.
Prabowo Revokes 28 Company Permits Over Forest Violations in Sumatra
17 jam lalu
This decision was made in a closed meeting by Prabowo with the Forest Zone Order Task Force, via video teleconference from London, England, on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Prabowo to Ink Fishing Vessel Construction Deal in UK Visit
1 hari lalu
Prabowo's visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and partnerships between Indonesia and the United Kingdom.
The Fertilizer Factory in Bahlil's Home Region
1 hari lalu
The BPK found many irregularities in the Fakfak Fertilizer Industrial Zone. Bahlil Lahadalia has been embroiled in abuse of power.
Prabowo Leads Cabinet Meeting on Forest Task Force from the UK
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto led a limited meeting through a video teleconference from London, England, attended by several members of the Merah Putih Cabinet online from Jakarta.
Prabowo Seeks UK's Top Universities to Open Campuses in Indonesia
1 hari lalu
A key agenda of Prabowo's UK visit is to explore partnerships with Russell Group universities, the UK's top academic institutions.
Prabowo's Nephew Among Nominees for Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto sends a letter to the DPR containing three names of Bank Indonesia deputy governor candidates.
