Strengthening Academic Collaboration: Buffett Institute and IFAR Consortium Engage with Key Institutions

Professor Deborah Cohen

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)