From Aceh to Lombok: DAAD-DIES NMT Continuity Programme Initiated by USK, UAD, UKWMS & UNSOED, Hosted by UMMAT, Accelerates Internationalisation Capacity in Indonesian Higher Education

The NMT 2025/2026 programme hosted in Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (UMMAT), Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat, is a continuation of the NMT 2021/2022 programme previously held at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) Aceh. While the first cycle focused on universities in Western Indonesia (Sumatera and Kalimantan), the current cycle expands outreach to Eastern Indonesia (Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara). This NMT team is honoured to again be selected as one of only two NMT continuity programmes worldwide awarded DAAD funding support, demonstrating the strategic global trust placed on Indonesia’s role in regional higher education advancement.

In this cycle, 22 participants from HEIs in Eastern Indonesia were selected. The programme consists of two workshop batches (October 2025 and April 2026) designed to equip universities with policies, strategies, and operational frameworks for impactful and sustainable internationalisation.

The core NMT Indonesia team consists of DAAD DIES alumni from Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya (UKWMS), and Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (UNSOED). In this continuity programme, we are allowed to invite one new institution outside DAAD DIES alumni, and Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram was selected as the host institution for the 2025/2026 cycle.

In Workshop 1 (October 2025), we invited Dr. Nguyen Thuy Ngoc, Head of International Office, Nong Lam University Vietnam, a DAAD DIES alumni, as our Regional Facilitator. For Workshop 2 (April 2026), we will invite Dr. Condro Wibowo from UNSOED, also a DAAD DIES alumni, as our National Facilitator.

This year’s programme carries the theme: “Internationalization Policies and Strategies to Support Impactful Campus Educational Policy in Indonesia.” The theme has shifted from the previous focus on MBKM / Emancipated Learning policy to Impactful Campus Educational Policy, following the recent national-level policy adjustments under Indonesia’s Ministry of Education. This theme refinement ensures alignment with current ministerial directions and preserves the relevance, responsiveness, and strategic value of NMT outcomes for participating HEIs.

Head of NMT Indonesia, Dr. Muzailin Affan, emphasised that the NMT-DIES programme goes beyond training; it is a multiplier mechanism leveraging peer learning, regional bridging, and collaborative academic leadership development. “We aim to create more measurable, inclusive, and sustainable internationalisation impact through stronger networks and strategic co-creation among Indonesian universities,” he stated.

Aligned with the DAAD DIES Programme, NMT Indonesia will continue to strengthen global partnerships, empower institutional transformation, and contribute to advancing Indonesia’s international higher education maturity.

Written by: Ida Puspita (NMT Indonesia Team, UAD)