Jakarta, March 11, 2025 – The Europe Today: The governments of Indonesia and Vietnam have formalized their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology. This collaboration was marked by the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto and Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung in Jakarta on Sunday (March 9).
Minister Yuliarto emphasized that the partnership aims to support key government priority programs, particularly those related to food security, energy self-sufficiency, and the downstreaming of innovations.
“This cooperation will be directed to support various government priority programs that focus on food, energy self-sufficiency, and innovation downstreaming,” Yuliarto stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The minister noted that 47 Vietnamese students are currently pursuing undergraduate and doctoral programs in Indonesia. As part of efforts to enhance collaboration in education and research, the two countries have agreed to establish joint research funding mechanisms, with a particular focus on increasing private sector participation in research financing. Indonesia has set a target to achieve a 4:1 ratio between industry and government contributions in research funding.
The initial phase of joint research projects is expected to involve pilot initiatives valued between USD 10,000 and USD 50,000. In the long term, funding could reach up to USD 50 million to support broader collaborations, including student exchange programs and research initiatives.
Both parties expressed their enthusiasm for the swift implementation of the agreement, with the first collaborative project expected to launch soon.
“I believe in the spirit of Southeast Asian solidarity. We can deepen our understanding by exchanging views and perspectives from the two countries’ experiences,” Yuliarto remarked.
The agreement outlines six key areas of cooperation:
- Exchange of Information and Best Practices – Sharing knowledge on policies, laws, regulations, and best practices in science and technology.
- Joint Research and Development – Collaboration in fields such as manufacturing, agriculture, artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
- Exchange Programs – Facilitating the movement of experts, researchers, scientists, students, and lecturers to participate in bilateral scientific and technological activities.
- Conferences and Training – Organizing conferences, seminars, and training sessions focused on advancing science and technology.
- Innovation and Downstreaming Coordination – Coordinating efforts in program development and content related to innovation and downstreaming.
- Additional Collaborative Activities – Implementing other mutually agreed-upon initiatives to enhance cooperation.
The signing of the LoI represents a significant step in strengthening Indonesia-Vietnam relations in science and technology. Both countries anticipate that the agreement will foster innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and contribute to sustainable development in the region.
