USAID HEPI: Strengthening Partnerships for World-Class Education

Context

Indonesia’s vast higher education system serves more than 8.8 million students, but it does not produce enough graduates with the skill sets needed to meet international standards and employer demand. The United States facilitates partnerships between U.S. and Indonesian universities and the private sector to equip students with world-class education and in-demand skills.

Indonesia’s incredible progress graduating more students from high school is sparking greater demand for high-quality tertiary education. Increasing the quality of universities to meet world-class standards will make them more competitive, prepare students to be productive members of the workforce, and contribute to the country’s economic growth. To achieve these standards, Indonesia’s higher education institutions are seeking global collaboration and partnerships.

Higher Education Partnership Initiative (USAID HEPI)

In partnership with Arizona State University through HEPI, USAID strengthens partnerships between U.S. and Indonesian institutions to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs of study in select Indonesian higher education institutions (HEIs) to meet international standards and industry demand. HEPI supports Indonesian HEIs through a consortium of university, government, and industry partners working to improve industry-relevant curriculum, meet international accreditation standards, and increase course credit recognition between U.S. and Indonesian universities.

The HEPI activity partners with three Indonesian university hubs: Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS), Bina Nusantara University (BINUS), and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) to implement teaching labs to strengthen Indonesian universities. HEPI is also working with industry partners such as Cisco, Oracle, Dow, and Rockwell to increase the quality of STEM programs in Indonesia. The consortium will grow to include at least 15 university affiliates and additional private sector partners.

Anticipated Results

By 2027, the project aims to achieve the following results:

Increase the ability of 4,000 students and youths to apply soft skills in project-based learning;
Increase the number of STEM programs that meet international accreditation standards; and
Increase the number of students utilizing educational pathways to receive a world-class
education