FMIPA UI and NCKU Taiwan Discuss Research Collaboration in Biomedical Science, Genomics, and Biodiversity

Depok, September 21, 2026 — The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), explored opportunities to strengthen research, education, and academic mobility collaboration with the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan. The discussion took place during a visit by an NCKU delegation to FMIPA UI on Wednesday (September 16, 2026).

The NCKU delegation, led by Dean of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology Prof. Ju-Ming Wang, was welcomed by Dean of FMIPA UI Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, S.Si., M.Si., together with faculty leaders, department heads, and heads of study programs at FMIPA UI.

In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Tito emphasized that international collaboration is essential for bringing together complementary research and academic strengths. He noted that FMIPA UI has a multidisciplinary academic ecosystem encompassing Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Statistics, and Actuarial Science.

“Scientific excellence today cannot be developed in isolation. It requires collaboration, exchange of knowledge, and partnerships between institutions with shared ambitions and complementary strengths,” said Prof. Tito.

He noted that NCKU has research strengths relevant to several academic fields at FMIPA UI, particularly through its College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, which specializes in bioscience, biotechnology, biomedicine, genomics, ecology, and environmental science.

During the meeting, the two institutions discussed several areas with potential for joint research, including biomedicine, bioinformatics, genomics, biotechnology, biodiversity, and climate change.

These areas are closely related to challenges facing Indonesia, particularly the sustainable utilization of biodiversity, the development of bio-based technologies, and the strengthening of scientific capacity to address environmental and climate change.

In addition to research, the discussion also focused on education and academic mobility. FMIPA UI and NCKU explored two-way mobility schemes involving both students and faculty members through outbound and inbound programs.

Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FMIPA UI Prof. Anom Bowolaksono, Ph.D., presented the faculty's profile and its vision for developing international networks. During the discussion, FMIPA UI also opened opportunities to develop Joint Degree and Double Degree programs at both undergraduate and master's levels.

The development of mobility and joint degree programs is part of efforts to broaden students' international experiences while aligning the curricula and academic competencies of the two institutions. International academic collaboration initiatives at FMIPA UI are coordinated through the International Programs and Curriculum Unit.

Another opportunity discussed was the World Classroom Project, an open-access initiative offering English-language courses that enables partner universities to share course materials online. NCKU expressed its openness to FMIPA UI contributing to the development of materials related to tropical biodiversity and the environment.

At the graduate level, NCKU also introduced scholarship opportunities for master's and doctoral students through Taiwan Government scholarships and NCKU's internal scholarship programs. These schemes include tuition fee waivers and monthly stipends.

The two institutions also discussed fast-track opportunities that would allow final-year undergraduate students to take master's-level courses as part of an integrated undergraduate and graduate education pathway.

In terms of research development, potential collaboration would not be limited to joint research projects but could also include the development of international research proposals and grant applications, joint supervision, the utilization of laboratories and research facilities, as well as the exchange of methodologies and data.

Prof. Tito said that the development of these collaborations is expected to bring together the academic strengths of FMIPA UI and NCKU to produce research that is relevant to societal needs and advances in science.

“We see strong alignment, particularly with the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology. We hope this meeting will serve as a starting point for developing collaborations that contribute to the advancement of science, innovation, and sustainable development,” he said.

In the context of strengthening international networks, FMIPA UI and NCKU are positioned at the same level, both ranked 191st globally in the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR) 2027. However, the two institutions view this shared ranking not merely as a ranking achievement, but as a context for bringing together their respective academic and research capacities.

Dean of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology NCKU Prof. Ju-Ming Wang expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended by FMIPA UI. He said that the visit provided an opportunity to explore areas of collaboration that could be developed between the two institutions, particularly in research, education, and academic capacity building.

To follow up on the discussion, FMIPA UI and NCKU will identify the study programs and academic fields with the greatest potential to serve as starting points for inbound and outbound mobility. The two institutions will also explore administrative requirements and curriculum alignment should Joint Degree or Double Degree programs be developed.

At the institutional level, the UI Office of International Affairs (Kantor Urusan Internasional/KUI) and the NCKU Office of International Affairs (OIA) will verify the general agreement currently in effect at the university level. Meanwhile, more specific forms of collaboration, such as joint research, joint supervision, facility utilization, and integrated education programs, may be developed through an Agreement of Implementation (AoI) at the faculty level.

The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and a group photo, followed by a technical discussion on potential areas of collaboration.

Representing FMIPA UI, the meeting was also attended by Vice Dean for Resources, Ventures, and General Administration Prof. Dr. Ivandini Tribidasari Anggraningrum, S.Si., M.Si.; Manager of the Research Ecosystem and Impactful Science Downstreaming Zico Alaia Akbar Junior, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.; Assistant Manager for Cooperation Development, Asset Commercialization, and Integrated Area Dwi Nurcahyadi, S.Si.; Assistant Manager for Student Achievement and Ecosystem Development Dr. Yulia Mariana Tesa Ayudia Putri, S.Si., M.Si.; Head of the Department of Biology Dr. Windri Handayani, S.Si., M.Si.; Head of the Undergraduate Biology Study Program Niarsi Merry Hemelda, M.Si., Ph.D.; Head of the Master's and Doctoral Biology Study Programs Dr. Dimas Haryo Pradana, S.Si., M.Si.; and Head of the Master's and Doctoral Chemistry Study Programs Bayu Ardiansah, S.Si., M.Si., D.Sc.

Meanwhile, the NCKU delegation consisted of Prof. Ju-Ming Wang, Dean of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology; Prof. Tsung-Lin Liu, Associate Dean of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology; and Johan Susilo, a student at the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, NCKU.