JAKARTA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia and China are accelerating cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to align with Indonesia's national development goals and rising industrial demands, Indonesia's Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday.
Collaboration between institutions from both countries is expanding rapidly, providing targeted capacity building for Indonesian students, Brian said.
"Several of our vocational universities have strong collaborations, both with industry and also with the universities in China," he noted, adding that this synergy allows students to receive training tailored to international benchmarks.
This educational and industrial alignment directly supports the Asta Cita (Eight Aspirations) national agenda outlined by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, which prioritizes food security, energy security, electronics, semiconductors, and downstream mineral processing.
As the presence of Chinese enterprises in Indonesia grows, the country hopes these industries will actively employ alumni from local vocational institutions, he said.
Talking about the upcoming 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, which will open on Thursday in China's Tianjin Municipality, Brian said Indonesia aims to expand institutional partnerships and upgrade student capacity to meet Chinese industrial standards.
"When we fulfill the China standards, of course, we can fulfill the world standards," said Brian, noting the global footprint of Chinese industries.
Addressing global technological shifts such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and green energy, Brian highlighted China's leading role on the technological frontier, adding that partnering with Chinese institutions helps Indonesia adapt its educational system to fast-changing global trends.
Chinese enterprises have already supported Indonesian universities by donating advanced equipment and constructing joint laboratories. Moving forward, Indonesia plans to expand double-degree programs, student and faculty exchanges, and visiting professorships, he said.
In line with the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, high-quality economic development must rely on science and technology. Combining Indonesia's natural resources and large population with China's technological expertise offers a solid foundation for joint industrial progress starting from university-level research, said Brian.■
