KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology is strengthening cooperation with Harvard Medical School in areas including medical education, health research and community-based primary healthcare services.

The collaboration was discussed during a meeting between both parties in Jakarta on May 7, as reported by Antara.

In a statement issued on May 8, Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto welcomed Harvard Medical School’s commitment to building partnerships with Indonesian institutions.

“We hope this collaboration will grow through various joint programs, ranging from academic exchanges and human resource capacity building to collaborative research that delivers a tangible impact on society,” he said.

Yuliarto said Indonesia possesses strong potential in health research, particularly in studies involving tropical diseases and the improvement of primary healthcare services.

He stressed that international cooperation remains essential in developing a higher education, science and technology ecosystem that responds effectively to public needs.

According to the minister, partnerships between Indonesian universities and leading global institutions such as Harvard Medical School could help strengthen innovation and improve the quality of medical education in the country.

Dean for Research Initiatives and Global Programs at Harvard Medical School, David Golan, also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to expanding collaboration with Indonesia.

He said Harvard Medical School welcomed students, academics and researchers from around the world to participate in its education, research and training exchange programmes.

The discussions also covered plans to strengthen researcher capabilities and expand collaborative scientific initiatives.

Both parties explored opportunities for joint scientific publications, academic workshops and the development of more accessible community-based primary healthcare models.

The meeting additionally highlighted the importance of data-driven research in improving healthcare systems.

Indonesia and Harvard Medical School also discussed efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.

These include improving the education and training of doctors and primary healthcare workers to ensure they are better equipped to respond to community needs.

The collaboration is expected to support Indonesia’s broader efforts to modernise its healthcare and medical education sectors through international partnerships and research-driven innovation.