Liverpool Uni Bolsters Ties With Indonesia President
The University of Liverpool has strengthened its commitment to international collaboration at a high-level meeting with His Excellency Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia.
Representing the University at the meeting, held on 30 May, Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships, joined senior leaders from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), King’s College London, the British Council, and UK Government officials to discuss deepening collaboration between the UK and Indonesia in higher education teaching, research, and innovation.
The meeting also explored a university consortium established by QMUL with the University of Liverpool as a founding member, aimed at expanding UK-Indonesia higher education partnerships.
“We are proud to be further developing our links to Indonesia, building on Liverpool’s sister city partnership with Surabaya and long-term connections with East Java,” said Professor Ali. “The University of Liverpool has a range of unique strengths which see us perfectly placed to support Indonesia’s growth and development goals. We look forward to working together with our Russell Group partners to educate talented students, who will go on to do great things.”
Professor Helen Bailey, Vice-Principal International at Queen Mary University of London, noted the significance of the engagement: “This meeting marked an important step toward building a deep and enduring partnership with Indonesia. We are keen to work with colleagues in the country, through the leadership of a consortium of UK Russell Group universities, to shape a new model of international place-based higher education – one that delivers real-world impact, fosters inclusive growth, and strengthens ties between the UK and Southeast Asia.”
The initiative reflects the UK’s growing strategic partnership with Indonesia, reaffirmed by President Prabowo and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during bilateral talks in London last year. Education was identified as a key pillar of collaboration, with support from the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme.
British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Dominic Jermey, said: “The UK is home to world-class universities offering a wide range of education and research expertise. I am delighted to see two highly ranked UK universities coming together in a consortium, led by Queen Mary University London with the University of Liverpool, meeting with President Prabowo Subianto, together with King’s College London, to support advancing educational excellence in Indonesia”.
Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK Government’s International Education Champion, said: “It was a privilege to meet with President Prabowo Subianto to explore deeper university partnerships between the UK and Indonesia. We share a strong commitment to expanding educational collaboration, fostering innovation, and creating new opportunities for students and researchers in both our countries. Partnerships with leading universities like Queen Mary University of London, the University of Liverpool and King’s College London can strengthen the ties between our countries and equip the next generation with the skills to thrive in a global economy.”
The University of Liverpool has a long-standing relationship with East Java and is continuing to build new academic and civic links in the region, further anchoring the UK-Indonesia partnership in shared knowledge, opportunity, and inclusive growth.
https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/07/09/university-strengthens-strategic-ties-with-indonesia-at-presidential-meeting/