Prabowo Launches 10 International Campuses With UK

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto convened a high-level meeting with several key ministers at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java. The gathering, which included prominent figures from the Merah Putih Cabinet, marked a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to elevate its higher education system and strengthen its human resources for the future. According to the Cabinet Secretariat’s official statement, the meeting’s main agenda was to discuss the latest developments in Indonesia’s collaboration with some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious universities—a partnership poised to reshape the nation’s educational landscape.

Present at the meeting were Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Deputy Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Tandyo Budi Revita, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. The gathering was more than a routine consultation; it was a strategic session aimed at finalizing concrete steps for a transformative initiative: the establishment of 10 new international-standard campuses in Indonesia, specializing in health and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Minister Brian Yuliarto reported that the initiative had received an overwhelmingly positive response from the UK’s university partners. As stated by the Cabinet Secretariat on Instagram, "The initiative of President Prabowo to build 10 campuses in health and STEM through collaboration with renowned UK universities received a very positive response from partner institutions." This sentiment was echoed by other officials, underscoring the momentum behind the project.

The seeds of this ambitious plan were sown during President Prabowo’s recent visit to London, where he participated in the UK–Indonesia Education Roundtable at Lancaster House on January 20, 2026. There, he announced Indonesia’s intention to work closely with top-tier British universities to address a pressing national challenge: the shortage of medical professionals and the need for globally competitive STEM talent. The President highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting, "We only produce about 9,000 doctors each year. So, who knows how many years it will take, and by the time we reach 140,000 doctors, even more will retire. This is something we must address with a strategic plan."

The proposed universities will focus on medical fields such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, as well as science and technology disciplines. The government aims for these institutions to adopt the highest UK education standards, with English as the language of instruction, and to begin admitting students as early as 2028. President Prabowo stressed, "I want to use the UK standards, which are the highest educational standards from the best universities in the UK." He further elaborated that these new campuses would welcome the nation’s top graduates, who would receive full scholarships funded by the government. Indonesia, he added, is open to inviting foreign professors and lecturers to teach, a move intended to boost the quality and international exposure of its academic community.

The collaboration is not without precedent. UK universities have a long track record of engagement with Indonesian institutions. As President Prabowo pointed out, "They have already worked with Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and many other universities. They also have campuses here, in Singosari and Bandung, in areas we need—digital and technology." Notably, King’s College London has established a campus in Singhasari, East Java, and Deakin Lancaster University has a presence in Bandung, West Java, focusing on digital and technological fields. These existing partnerships, according to the President, serve as a strong foundation for more ambitious projects.

The meeting in Hambalang was also a showcase of President Prabowo’s hands-on leadership style. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya emphasized that the President’s direct involvement is intended to ensure that international cooperation yields tangible results for Indonesia’s education sector. "The gathering of ministers in Hambalang was so the President could directly monitor the progress of the cooperation," Teddy explained. "This reflects a leadership style focused on concrete execution to ensure international cooperation benefits Indonesian education."

Beyond the immediate goal of addressing the shortage of medical professionals, the government’s broader vision is to strengthen national higher education, foster self-reliance, and enhance Indonesia’s global competitiveness. As Minister Brian Yuliarto reported, the collaboration is designed to "produce experts in science, engineering, mathematics, and professional healthcare." This is seen as essential for the country as it navigates the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy and the challenges of technological advancement.

The President’s vision has been widely described as both proactive and visionary. By leveraging global partnerships, particularly with the UK’s Russell Group universities—which include the University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Imperial College London, and University of Oxford—Indonesia hopes to accelerate its progress toward world-class educational standards. The Cabinet Secretariat noted that the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to "accelerate the improvement of national higher education quality to meet global standards."

Officials at the meeting also discussed the need for the new campuses to be accessible to the brightest Indonesian students, regardless of their financial background. The government’s commitment to providing full scholarships is intended to ensure that talent, not privilege, determines who benefits from these new opportunities. In addition, the openness to foreign academic staff is expected to enrich the learning environment and foster the exchange of ideas.

For Indonesia, the stakes are high. The country’s population of over 270 million demands a robust health system and a technologically adept workforce. As President Prabowo put it, "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." The new universities are expected to play a critical role in achieving these objectives, both by increasing the number of trained professionals and by raising the bar for educational quality nationwide.

The international collaboration has also been framed as a step toward greater national self-reliance. By building local capacity and reducing dependence on foreign-trained professionals, Indonesia hopes to chart its own course in science, technology, and healthcare. The government’s approach, as described by officials, is not just about diplomacy but about delivering real, measurable improvements in people’s lives.

With the first cohort of students expected to enroll in 2028, the coming years will be crucial for turning this vision into reality. The government’s commitment, the enthusiastic response from UK partners, and the President’s personal engagement have set the stage for what could be a transformative era in Indonesian higher education. If successful, the initiative may serve as a model for other nations seeking to bridge the gap between ambition and achievement in the global knowledge economy.

The groundwork has been laid, and with determination and international cooperation, Indonesia appears ready to take bold steps toward a brighter, more competitive future.