Indonesian professors serving at various universities across the United States convened via Zoom on Monday, November 3, 2025, in a meeting with the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Indroyono Soesilo, where they expressed their readiness to support the development of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) in Indonesia.
Among them, Professor Romulus Godang from the University of Southern Alabama expressed his interest in contributing his expertise in high-energy physics and database system development. Professor Teruna Siahaan from the University of Kansas has been advancing biopharmacology and biotechnology to create precise treatments that destroy cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
Professor Justinus Satrio from the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Philadelphia, focuses on renewable energy, biofuels, and thermochemical research, and is currently pioneering the establishment of an agro-technopark in Indonesia.
Professor Heri Utomo from Louisiana State University has successfully developed a high-protein rice variety with a low glycemic index, which is now ready for field testing in Indonesia.
Professor Deden Rukmana from the University of Texas at Arlington, who also serves as Chair of the Indonesian International Scientists Association, and Professor Siti Kusujiarti, Director of Climate Action at Warren Wilson College, North Carolina, both expressed readiness to collaborate in the fields of disaster mitigation and climate change adaptation.
Professor Andi Saptono, an artificial intelligence (AI) expert from the University of Pittsburgh, confirmed his commitment to supporting the development of health informatics and the application of AI in genetic studies. He also expressed hope that the Indonesian government would strengthen copyright and intellectual property regulations to accommodate AI development—areas that are strictly governed in the United States.
In the field of mathematics, Professor Syafrida from Morgan State University, Baltimore, presented modern mathematical teaching methods that could be implemented in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Professor Haryadi Gunawi, a computer science expert from the University of Chicago, reaffirmed his dedication to continuing the GARUDA Program, which he initiated to prepare young Indonesians for higher education at leading U.S. universities.
Professor Bari Hanafi, a young academic from the University of Arkansas, is advancing research in geological exploration to discover hydrogen gas reserves as a clean energy source. He noted that Indonesia has significant hydrogen potential that has yet to be explored.
Professor Dwi Susanto, an oceanography expert from the University of Maryland, expressed his readiness to develop ocean wave, current, and tidal energy power plants in Indonesia. Preliminary surveys have already been conducted at several promising sites.
In a separate statement, Dr. Fauzan Adziman, Director General of Research and Development at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisainstek), stated that joint fundamental research activities between universities in the U.S. and Indonesia have consistently received support from the ministry and funding from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
This was further confirmed by Dr. Sudarto, President Director of LPDP, who noted that the Indonesian government offers up to 300% tax incentives for companies and industries engaged in research and development activities.
Dr. Ahmad Najid Burhani, Director General of Science and Technology at Kemendiktisainstek, explained the GARUDA Program, which facilitates the selection of top Indonesian high school graduates to pursue STEMM education in U.S. universities under the mentorship of Indonesian diaspora professors.
Tandean Rustandi, an alumnus of the University of Chicago and a member of its Board of Trustees, who also has networks at the University of Colorado Boulder and Yale University, expressed his readiness to help outstanding Indonesian students gain admission to these prestigious institutions.
Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo emphasized that Indonesia’s human resource development program—through partnerships with leading U.S. universities and active involvement of Indonesian diaspora professors—will continue in alignment with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to increase the number of Indonesian students pursuing STEMM fields in the United States. This initiative aims to strengthen Indonesia’s industrial capacity for food and energy self-sufficiency, water resource management, mineral downstreaming, and integration into global industrial supply chains.
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