Strengthening Internationalisation Capacity in Central and Eastern Indonesia: DAAD DIES-NMT Workshop II

The second phase of the DAAD DIES National Multiplication Training (NMT) workshop, titled “Internationalization Policies and Strategies to Support Impactful Campus Educational Policy in Indonesia,” marked the final phase of the programme and was successfully conducted from 6–8 April 2026 in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Building on the initial workshop held on 27–29 October 2025, this phase represents both the continuation and the concluding stage of the programme, further strengthening participants’ progression from foundational understanding to practical implementation. The program brought together 20 participants from higher education institutions across three provinces: West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity in internationalisation.

Organised as part of the ongoing DIES-NMT continuity programme, the workshop was led by a consortium of Indonesian universities, including Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya (UKWMS), and Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (UNSOED), in collaboration with Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (UMMAT) as the host institution. The second workshop was officially opened by the Rector of UMMAT, accompanied by the Vice Rector for Cooperation, underscoring the university’s strong commitment to advancing internationalisation.

Dr. Guido Schneiders, Director of the DAAD Office Jakarta, also delivered his opening remarks virtually, expressing his strong appreciation for the NMT initiative led by DAAD DIES alumni in disseminating the knowledge and experience gained from training in Germany to participants in Indonesia.

This initiative builds on earlier NMT efforts (2021–2022), previously hosted by USK for participants from Western Indonesia, and reflects a sustained commitment to advancing internationalisation in Indonesian higher education.

The training was designed to equip higher education institutions (HEIs) with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement effective internationalisation strategies aligned with the “Impactful Campus” policy of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MoHEST). Combining theoretical input with practical application, the workshop addressed key themes such as Internationalization at Home, strategic planning, policy development, and intercultural communication.

Participants engaged in a structured learning process, including the refinement of their Personal Action Plans (PAPs), enabling them to apply workshop insights directly within their respective institutions. The program also facilitated knowledge exchange and networking, strengthening regional collaboration among HEIs in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

A distinctive feature of Workshop II was a benchmarking visit to Universitas Mataram, where participants gained first-hand insights into institutional internationalisation strategies and practices. This activity provided valuable opportunities for reflection, comparison, and contextual learning.

The workshop was further enriched by contributions from international and national experts, as well as key stakeholders in German–Indonesian academic cooperation. Muji Rahayu, Deputy Director of DAAD Jakarta, delivered a presentation on “Scholarship and Academic Collaboration Opportunities in Germany,” while Dr. Roniyus Marjunus, Education Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin, shared insights on “Collaboration Opportunities with Universities in Germany.” Both speakers participated virtually. Prof. Condro Wibowo, Ph.D. (Universitas Jenderal Soedirman), attended the workshop in person and contributed valuable national perspectives on internationalisation policies and practices.

The workshop specifically targeted staff from early-stage international offices and institutions with limited internationalisation experience, ensuring capacity building in regions that are often underrepresented in global academic engagement. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, participants were guided to apply the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) cycle in developing and implementing their internationalisation strategies.

As highlighted in local media coverage, UMMAT’s role as host underscores the growing importance of Eastern Indonesia in the national internationalisation agenda. The workshop not only strengthened institutional readiness but also contributed to building a collaborative ecosystem for higher education internationalisation in the region.

The successful completion of Workshop II marks an important milestone in the DIES-NMT programme, reaffirming the commitment of Indonesian partner universities and DAAD to advancing inclusive and impactful internationalisation in higher education.

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