Imperial seeks to expand strategic ties in Southeast Asia

The Global Development Hub team visits Indonesia

Earlier this spring, the Global Development Hub at Imperial led strategic visits to Indonesia and Singapore.

Imperial has reinforced its commitment to global collaboration following a week-long strategic visit to Indonesia, led by the Global Development Hub. The delegation aimed to deepen partnerships in research, education, and innovation across key sectors including health, climate, and technology.

The Global Development Hub is a cross-disciplinary initiative that supports, amplifies, and connects Imperial’s research, education, and enterprising activities focused on tackling the world’s most pressing development challenges. The Hub works in partnership with researchers, governments, NGOs and communities in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to co-create solutions that are locally grounded and globally relevant.

Areas of mutual interest

In April, Professor Helena Legido-Quigley (School of Public Health) and Dr. Yves Plancherel (Department of Earth Science and Engineering) led a strategic visit to Indonesia and Singapore. The visit was supported by British Council Jakarta and British Embassy colleagues based in West Java.

In Singapore, the delegation engaged with leading institutions to explore avenues for joint research and innovation including the Temasek Foundation and Munich RE. Subsequent meetings in Indonesia encompassed discussions with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST), and the Ministry of Health. 

"Our engagement with the Ministry of Health reaffirmed the importance of national leadership in driving sustainable and equitable reforms in health systems." Professor Helena Legido-Quigley Chair in Health Systems Strengthening, Imperial

Reflecting on the meeting with the MoHEST, Dr. Plancherel said "Not only we were able to learn about the strategic priorities of the new government, but there was especially a real sense of possibilities for us to work together very closely and cement more formal partnerships, especially with regards to developing Master and PhD scholarships programmes."

Prof. Legido-Quigley remarked that discussions with the Ministry of Health "...reaffirmed the importance of national leadership in driving sustainable and equitable reforms in health systems".

The delegation also met with universities, UN agencies and research agencies in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bandung. These interactions highlighted mutual interests in several research areas including food security, disaster mitigation, primary healthcare, and the application of AI in public services as well as joint interest in bidirectional talent development and capacity building opportunities.

"We are already discussing collaboration opportunities with individuals met during our alumni event." Dr. Yves Plancherel Lecturer in Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial

In Jakarta, the delegation also hosted an alumni event, connecting with over 60 alumni based in the region who are keen to engage with the university through their networks and expertise.

Dr. Plancherel said "We are already discussing collaboration opportunities with individuals met during our alumni event on topics ranging from ocean technology, use of remote sensing to develop biodiversity metric and ways to support Green Climate Fund investments in the country".

UK and Indonesia relations

"Indonesia’s universities are producing strong, policy relevant research that is shaping national dialogue and contributing to global knowledge". Professor Helena Legido-Quigley Chair in Health Systems Strengthening, Imperial

Imperial's visit aligns with the UK's broader engagement in Southeast Asia, particularly with Indonesia, the region's largest economy and a pivotal partner in science and education. Indonesia's expansive higher education landscape, burgeoning tech sector, and focus on sustainable development present significant opportunities for collaborative initiatives.

"Indonesia’s universities are producing strong, policy relevant research that is shaping national dialogue and contributing to global knowledge"- Prof. Helena Legido Quigley.

The visit builds upon the momentum of recent high-level exchanges, including the Indonesian Prime Minister's state visit to the UK last year, during which both nations reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts in science, education, and sustainable growth.

Imperial Global strategy

The Global Development Hub focuses on supporting development impact in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs) through Imperial's expertise and global partnership networks in science and technology. To achieve this mission, the Hub leverages Imperial's Global network of hubs in the USA, Singapore, India and Ghana to develop consortia, partnerships, and collaborative networks across critical areas including health, technology, climate, and biodiversity.

Through close collaboration with Imperial Global Ghana, the Hub advances transformational West Africa programmes such as CLARITY, while working with Imperial Global India to support and amplify India's leadership in science for development impact across South Asia. The Singapore hub serves as a strategic launchpad for high-impact development partnerships throughout ASEAN, and the US hub is positioned in the international development context to enable transformational programmes jointly with American partners, including initiatives like Schmidt Sciences AI for science programme.

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