Jakarta, February 2025 --
The Institutes for Advanced Research (IFAR) Consortium and the Buffet Institute of the Northwestern University recently engaged in a series of productive discussions with key academic and Government institutions, reinforcing their commitment to fostering world-class research and higher education in Indonesia.
Engagements with IFAR UIII, IFAR Atma Jaya, IFAR Monash Indonesia, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international academic collaboration, the IFAR Consortium welcomed the visit of Prof. Deborah Cohen and Prof. Laura Hein from Northwestern University. Their engagements included discussions at Atma Jaya Catholic University, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), Monash University Indonesia, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
(From left to right: Irfan Hutagalung - Chairman of ISRSF & IFAR Consortium; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute; Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University)
At Atma Jaya Catholic University, discussions centered around the development of the Atma Jaya School of Public Policy (SPP) and the role of IFAR Atma Jaya in Bridging academic research and policymaking. Notable initiatives include expanding policy advocacy programs, interdisciplinary research clusters, and collaboration opportunities with Northwestern University, particularly in areas such as health policy and inequality studies.
(From left to right: Fadil Kuntjara - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium; Prof. Jonathan Pincus - ISRSF Board of Trustees; Dr. Ratri Istyana - Senior Fellow to IFAR Atma Jaya; Irfan Hutagulung - Chairman of ISRSF & IFAR Consortium; Dr. Agustinus Prasetyantoko - Director of IFAR Atma Jaya; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute; Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University; Sabella Yandinata - IFAR Atma Jaya; Ana Saleh - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium)
At UIII, the delegations met with Prof. Jamhari Makruf, Rector of UIII and Director of IFAR UIII, to explore opportunities for joint research, faculty exchanges, and institutional collaboration. The visit also provided an opportunity to witness UIII`s commitment to academic excellence, interfaith dialogue, and global engagement, highlighted by its research centers and upcoming international conferences.
(From left to right: Prof. Jamhari Makruf - UIII Chancellor and Director of IFAR UIII; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute)
(From left to Right: Prof. Jonathan Pincus - ISRSF Board of Trustees; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute; Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University; Irfan Hutagalung - Chairman of ISRSF & IFAR Consortium; Saiful Umam Ph.D. - UIII; Dr. Gde Dwitya Arief Metera - IFAR UIII)
At Monash University Indonesia, the delegation engaged with Prof. Jane Jacobs, Vice President-Research and Interim Director of IFAR Monash Indonesia and Prof. Matthew Nicholson, the Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of the university, to discuss upcoming collaborations.
(From left to right: Prof. Matthew Nicholson - Pro Vice-Chancellor & President, Monash University, Indonesia; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute)
(From left to right: Fadil Kuntjara - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium; Irfan Hutagalung - Chairman of ISRSF & IFAR Consortium; Ana Saleh - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium; Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University; Christine - Monash Indonesia; Prof. Jane Jacobs - Director, IFAR Monash Indonesia; Prof. Stephen Cairns - Monash Indonesia; Auviar Wicaksanti - Monash Indonesia; Prof. Matthew Nicholson - Pro Vice-Chancellor & President, Monash University, Indonesia; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute)
With the Arryman Fellows at IFAR Monash Indonesia
(From left to right: Dr. Lutfi Adam; Dr. Sarah Gultom; Dr. Aulia Nastiti; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute; Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University: Dr. Wara Urwasi; Dr. Sari Ratri; Ana Saleh - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium)
At the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, the delegation engaged with Vice Minister Prof. Stella Christie to discuss the government`s vision for education reform, particularly through President Prabowo`s eight key initiatives. The conversation also highlighted the Ministry`s commitment to expanding scholarship opportunities for Indonesian students and developing SMA Unggul Garuda, a program designed to equip future leaders with access to world-class education.
(From left to right: Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute; Vice Minister Prof. Stella Christie; Irfan Hutagalung - Chairman of ISRSF & IFAR Consortium)
Expanding International Networks and Research Cooperation
The discussions reinforced the importance of international partnerships in advancing Indonesia’s academic and research landscape. The Arryman Scholars Initiative, which has supported Indonesian PhD students at Northwestern University and now at SOAS University of London, continues to grow with a goal of producing more than 30 postdoctoral scholars contributing to globally recognized academic research.
Meanwhile, the IFAR Consortium, established in 2021, is expanding its network of research-oriented ecosystem. By fostering collaborative research, institutional support, and scholar development, IFAR aims to create an ecosystem where Indonesian academics can thrive and contribute to global knowledge production.
Looking Ahead
The meetings between Buffett Institute, IFARs and potential partners reaffirm the shared vision of strengthening Indonesia`s higher education sector, enhancing global academic collaboration, and promoting inclusive access to quality research opportunities. With growing support from government agencies, and collaboration with international universities and local research institutions, these initiatives are set to further elevate Indonesia`s role in the global academic and research community.
(From left to right: Ana Saleh - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium; Prof. Jane Jacobs - Director, IFAR Monash Indonesia; Dr. Ratri Istyana - Senior Fellow to IFAR Atma Jaya; Sondang Simanjuntak, SH. LLM, - ISRSF Board of Advisor; Dr. Philips J. Vermonte- UIII; Prof. Laura Hein - Northwestern University; Dr. Ridarson Galingging - ISRSF Treasurer; Prof. Jonathan Pincus - ISRSF Board of Trustees; Irfan Hutagalung - Chairman of ISRSF & IFAR Consortium; Prof. Deborah Cohen - Buffett Institute; Prof. Jamhari Makruf - UIII Chancellor and Director of IFAR UIII; Prof. Stephen Cairns - Monash Indonesia; Saiful Umam Ph.D. - UIII; Dr. Yohanes Eko Adi Prasetyanto, S.Si, - Vice Rector Atma Jaya University; Fadil Kuntjara - ISRSF/IFAR Consortium; Dr. Sirojuddin Arif - UIII; Dr. Sarah Gultom - Monash Indonesia; Haidar Adhiwikara - ISRSF)
