Mission supports AIT’s commitment to sustainability, international collaboration, and strengthening partnerships across Southeast Asia
28 June 2026 – Professor Pai-Chi Li, President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), led an institutional mission to Indonesia from 22–27 June 2026, supporting the Institute’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia through academic partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and international collaboration.
The mission combined AIT’s participation in the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026 with a series of high-level meetings, partnership discussions, alumni engagements, and academic outreach activities. The visit formed part of AIT’s broader internationalization strategy to strengthen regional partnerships, enhance international visibility, and foster collaborations that contribute to sustainable development, innovation, and human capacity development.
The AIT delegation comprised President Li, faculty members, and representatives from key administrative offices, reflecting the Institute’s collaborative approach to advancing academic excellence, international engagement, and regional cooperation.
Advancing AIT’s Global Engagement at the Global Sustainable Development Congress
The Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026 brought together university leaders, government representatives, international organizations, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss higher education’s contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Representing AIT on the global stage, President Li moderated an international session on sustainability and higher education. Throughout the congress, the AIT delegation participated in keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events covering sustainability, research impact, digital transformation, internationalization, and university leadership. The delegation also met with universities, development partners, and industry representatives to explore opportunities for research collaboration, faculty exchange, innovation, and institutional cooperation.
During the congress, the AIT delegation also met with the senior leadership of Times Higher Education (THE). Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration to enhance AIT’s international visibility, performance in the THE Impact Rankings, and institutional development initiatives. The meeting also explored opportunities to maximize the value of the THE Impact Rankings Dashboard, collaborate on national and regional THE Masterclasses, and expand AIT’s participation in future THE events. The discussions identified areas for continued collaboration in rankings, institutional capacity building, and international engagement, further strengthening AIT’s long-standing relationship with THE.
On behalf of AIT, Prof. Li also received recognition for ranking in the 101–200 band among 1,603 universities worldwide in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.
Strengthening Academic Partnerships in Indonesia
One of the mission’s key outcomes was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AIT and Universitas Brawijaya (UB), one of Indonesia’s leading public universities, further expanding AIT’s academic partnerships in Southeast Asia.
The MoU was signed by President Li and Professor Widodo, Rector of Universitas Brawijaya, establishing a framework for long-term collaboration in education, research, innovation, and institutional development.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate in joint research, faculty and student mobility, postgraduate education, consultancy services, executive and professional training, conferences, seminars, and capacity-building initiatives. The partnership also provides opportunities to develop integrated bachelor’s–master’s programs and other collaborative academic initiatives that support internationalization and academic excellence.
The signing ceremony was attended by faculty members and representatives from AIT’s Office of International Affairs, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, and Sponsored and Contracted Projects Office.
Expanding Government and Regional Collaboration
Beyond the partnership with Universitas Brawijaya, the mission included engagements with government agencies, regional organizations, and Indonesian universities to expand cooperation in higher education, research, academic mobility, and capacity building.
President Li and the delegation met with senior officials from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Higher Education under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to discuss opportunities for collaboration between AIT and Indonesian universities, including doctoral scholarship programs, collaborative research, dual-degree initiatives, and faculty and student mobility.
The delegation also visited the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMEO SEAMOLEC), where discussions focused on open and digital learning, educator capacity building, STEM education, and regional knowledge exchange. These discussions identified opportunities for future collaboration in digital learning and regional capacity-building initiatives.
Strengthening Alumni Engagement
Recognizing the important role of alumni in AIT’s international engagement, President Li and the delegation met with the AIT Alumni Chapter Indonesia during a networking dinner attended by the chapter president and senior alumni.
Discussions focused on alumni engagement in institutional promotion, partnership development, university collaboration, mentoring prospective students, and supporting AIT’s long-term engagement in Indonesia.
Alumni members expressed strong interest in supporting future initiatives and recommended expanding AIT’s engagement beyond Jakarta and Bandung to include Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Bali, where active alumni communities and leading universities provide opportunities for further collaboration.
Many alumni also offered to facilitate introductions to universities, government agencies, and industry partners, support future institutional visits, and strengthen collaboration between AIT and Indonesian stakeholders, highlighting the important role of AIT’s alumni network in supporting the Institute’s long-term engagement in Indonesia.
Advancing Regional Engagement
Alongside the President’s engagements, members of the AIT delegation conducted complementary outreach activities with universities, alumni, institutional partners, and other stakeholders across Indonesia, further expanding AIT’s academic and professional networks. These activities strengthened existing relationships while identifying opportunities for collaboration in research, education, and institutional development.
Together, these engagements reflected AIT’s integrated approach to international collaboration by combining academic partnerships, government engagement, alumni relations, and institutional outreach across Southeast Asia.
Supporting AIT’s Internationalization Strategy
The Indonesia mission represents an important step in AIT’s internationalization strategy and reflects the Institute’s commitment to building partnerships that address regional and global challenges.
Participation in the Global Sustainable Development Congress enhanced AIT’s international visibility and created new opportunities for collaboration with universities and international organizations. Engagements with higher education authorities, regional organizations, academic partners, and alumni further expanded opportunities for cooperation in research, academic mobility, digital learning, capacity building, and institutional development. Together, these outcomes provide a strong foundation for deeper and more sustained engagement between AIT and partners across Indonesia.
As AIT continues to strengthen its global network, the Indonesia mission reflects the Institute’s commitment to developing international partnerships that advance knowledge, foster innovation, and contribute to sustainable development across Asia and beyond.
