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.

USAID Higher Education Partnership Initiative (USAID HEPI)

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

The program 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. USAID HEPI is also working with industry partners such as Cisco, Oracle, Dow, Boeing, and Rockwell to increase the quality of STEM programs in Indonesia. The consortium has grown to include 32 university affiliates across Indonesia and additional private sector partners.

Results

USAID HEPI aims to strengthen STEM programs in Indonesian universities. To date, USAID HEPI has:

Increasing STEM education capacity in more than 30 universities across Indonesia, through a Community of Practice to discuss challenges and best practices at a series of higher education forums;
Established Maker Innovation Spaces at three universities, providing students with a dedicated space and tools to get hands-on experience through STEM projects; and
Provided more than 3,000 learners with educational pathways to achieve a U.S.-based learning experience by studying with U.S. universities or upskilling with industry partners, such as Cisco, Oracle, Dow, Boeing, and Rockwell.