Reimagining Borderless Education between Indonesia and China

In April 2024, I embarked on a ten-day visit to China, covering three cities, two hi-tech companies, several government institutions, six academic institutions, various museums, and, of course, indulging in a lot of delicious food. It was my longest work visit to a single country in over a decade, and the experience left a lasting impression. This visit deepened my ongoing interest in transnational education, an area I’ve been reflecting on for years, particularly in the context of fostering mutual understanding across borders.
China is synonymous with technological advancement. My visits to companies like Envision and Huawei revealed more than just cutting-edge innovation. China is a country with bold visions and an unparalleled commitment to realizing them. The focus is not only on solving today’s problems but also on addressing issues that lie in the future.

Alongside its technological prowess, China takes the preservation of culture and heritage very seriously. The Terracotta Army, for example, is not merely a display of ancient craftsmanship but a testament to the pride China takes in its past. The preservation of these artefacts is about instilling the values of that greatness into younger generations, ensuring they carry forward the spirit of a nation poised to remain significant. This balance between innovation and tradition is something I found particularly fascinating.

This was not my first visit to China. My initial trip to Beijing was back in 1999. Since then, I’ve witnessed the country’s transformation into a modern society. While wealth can easily enable technological progress, societal transformation is a more profound achievement. Clean cities, law-abiding citizens, and an overall sense of order stand as clear indicators of this progress, reflecting a well-integrated approach to modernization.

Academically, I am deeply impressed by China’s educational openness. During our trip, we visited institutions such as Fudan University, the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, Xi’an Jiao Tong University, and Peking University. One notable feature is China’s growing interest in Indonesia, with dedicated Indonesian study centres where students actively learn Bahasa Indonesia. This represents a forward-thinking approach to strengthening future ties between the two nations.

I also had the opportunity to meet a number of Indonesian students studying in various universities in China. The Indonesian Student Association of China (PPI Tiongkok) is a strong organization, and I exchanged ideas with its activists. The increasing number of Indonesian students studying in China year after year, supported by various scholarships, is promising. Interestingly, tuition fees and living costs are not as expensive as I had imagined, and with scholarships, the financial burden is significantly eased.

One of the most effective ways to enhance this understanding is through educational exchanges. Currently, there is an imbalance: at Universitas Gadjah Mada, for instance, we welcomed over 40 Chinese students in 2023, yet only sent four Indonesian students to China. This disparity needs to be addressed, especially as our nations become more interdependent. The future of Indonesia-China collaboration in education lies in transnational education, where both countries mutually recognize each other’s educational systems. Such collaboration would allow students from both countries to experience each other’s education without barriers, fostering a deeper understanding of our cultures and systems.

Of course, the Indonesia-China relationship is not without its obstacles. The South China Sea tension is one issue that often puts the two countries in a challenging position. During my visit to China, this dispute was a topic I raised. Over the last two decades, I have studied this issue, and this visit allowed me to engage directly with Chinese scholars and hear their candid views. While it is too early to draw conclusions, I see potential for continued dialogue. Understanding each other’s positions is the first step in conflict resolution, and while the South China Sea issue is unlikely to be resolved any time soon, I left with a sense that goodwill and conversations will continue.

A difficult issue like the South China Sea dispute requires mutual understanding, and educational exchanges can play a crucial role. Indonesian students immersing themselves in Chinese day-to-day life will increase their chances of comprehending complex issues from multiple angles. The same applies to Chinese students studying in Indonesia. Through these exchanges, our students will gain not only academic knowledge but also the cultural sensitivity needed to navigate geopolitical tensions.

In the near future, I imagine a female student from Papua beginning her studies in Geodetic Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, and then moving to Peking University (PU) in Beijing in her second year to continue her education on geospatial-related field. This would be seamless, as PU and UGM would mutually recognize each other’s curriculum. While studying at PU, she could intern at a high-tech company in Beijing, gaining firsthand experience of technological advancements and Chinese work culture. She could then return to UGM to complete her degree in computer science. With her cross-cultural experiences and education, she would be an invaluable asset to a Chinese-Indonesian company in Sulawesi.

This scenario could just as easily apply to a Chinese student studying in both China and Indonesia. Starting their education in China and continuing it in Indonesia would no longer be an issue with mutual recognition. In the future, I envision that such exchanges will become the norm. With greater exchange of students, professors, and ideas, I am confident that Indonesia and China will not only strengthen their relationship but also play a crucial role in shaping a more harmonious regional future.

I Made Andi Arsana