Chongqing—For Indonesian researcher Airine Handayani, a doctorate in China is a way to build expertise she hopes to take home — and research partnerships she wants to keep.

A researcher at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Handayani is pursuing a PhD in optical engineering at Chongqing University through a scholarship jointly funded by Indonesia’s education endowment agency, Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), and the university.

“I hope to learn from experienced researchers, access advanced facilities, and develop expertise that I can bring back to Indonesia,” she said. Her goal is to strengthen Indonesia’s research capabilities, particularly in optoelectronic materials and devices.

Her ambitions reflect the kind of expertise and connections that a broader education initiative seeks to develop. An agreement jointly signed by Chongqing Dongxueji Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (Dongxueji) and the Indonesia-China Local Government Partnership Association (ICLG-PASS) at a China-Indonesia talent development forum in Chongqing on November 11 aims to support about 15,000 young Indonesians studying at Chinese higher education institutions over ten years.

Scheduled to run from 2027 to 2036, the program seeks to connect study in China with demand for skilled Indonesian employees, including at Chinese companies operating in Indonesia. Planned fields range from artificial intelligence, engineering, and new energy to business, agriculture, and the arts.

Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, president of the Indonesia–China Local Government Partnership Association (ICLG-PASS) and chairman of Commission II of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, said investment cooperation should also deliver technology transfer and develop local talent.

Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, president of ICLG-PASS, addresses the China–Indonesia talent development forum in Chongqing. （Photo/Kang Zheng）

He said the association would use its network of Indonesian regional leaders to help more students study at Chinese universities and align their education with the needs of industries operating in Indonesia.

“We also hope that these students will develop into reliable human resources for various Chinese investment and industrial activities in Indonesia,” he said.

The initiative envisages undergraduate and vocational education as its main routes, with fewer postgraduate students. According to its implementation plan, roughly half of the planned study places would be in science and engineering.

Existing university partnerships offer examples of how such exchanges can work. Chen Ying, deputy director of Chongqing University’s International Student Affairs Center, said the university and LPDP already jointly support Indonesian students pursuing engineering doctorates, helping build Indonesia’s pool of highly qualified local talent.

Chen Ying, deputy director of Chongqing University’s International Student Affairs Center, speaks at the forum. （Photo/ Kang Zheng）

She said the university hoped to deepen cooperation in international student education, student and faculty visits, and joint research.

The forum also addressed the relationships students build beyond their academic work. Feng Jian, chief adviser to the Belt and Road Cultural Development Special Fund of the China Literature and Art Foundation, said the fund would support cultural experiences, arts exchanges and dialogue among young people.

For Handayani, the long-term value of studying abroad lies in keeping academic connections active after graduation. She hopes to connect Indonesian research institutions with Chinese universities and laboratories, encourage joint projects and facilitate knowledge exchange.

“I would like to become a bridge connecting researchers and academic institutions in China and Indonesia,” she said. “In the future, I want to help create long-term partnerships that benefit scientific development in both countries.”