Western Sydney University takes first step to establishing presence in Indonesia

Western Sydney University welcomes the announcement by President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Joko Widodo, of the University’s intention to establish a state-of-the-art campus in Indonesia.

The announcement, which was made at the Indonesia-Australia CEO Forum held in Sydney and hosted by visiting President Widodo, follows recent approval by the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights allowing Western Sydney University to establish a Yayasan Foundation, necessary as a precursor to establishing a foreign campus. Approval by the Indonesian Mnistry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the University’s application to establish a branch campus in Surabaya is imminent.

Subject to final site selection and approval by the University’s Board of Trustees Western Sydney University plans to establish the campus in Surabaya, East Java – a city serving the needs of a rapidly developing Indonesian economy.

The proposed campus will offer degree programs along with industry-relevant short courses, with a particular focus on STEM skills such as the Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Bachelor of Data Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical).

Subject to Board approval, work on the campus is to commence in late 2023 in readiness for the University’s first intake of students in September 2024. Campus numbers are expected to grow over time to 2,500 students.

The new Surabaya presence builds on Western Sydney University’s long-established campus in Vietnam, delivered in partnership with UEH University.

Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, said the planned Surabaya campus is a major strategic commitment by the University to extend its international reach and strengthen its position as a global education leader.

“Western Sydney University has a long and proud history of opening up access to higher education for students who have the drive, ambition and dedication to succeed. Establishing a significant long-term presence in Indonesia is an exciting new chapter in that history,” said Professor Westacott.

“The planned new international campus will create life-changing opportunities for local students to graduate with a globally recognised degree and will support Indonesia in its economic transformation.”

The Surabaya campus plans to offer world-class facilities and a technology-rich learning environment, with a focus on entrepreneurship, climate resilience and sustainability, according to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover AO.

The University’s highly successful Launchpad tech start-up incubator is also expected to be a major feature of the campus, helping to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial culture and start-up ecosystem in Surabaya.

“Western Sydney University is proud to have been named number one in the world for our social, ecological and economic impact for the second year running in the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact rankings – a first for an Australian university,” said Professor Glover.

“We will ensure that our long-standing commitment to sustainability and working with local communities to create a more inclusive and resilient future is deeply embedded across all our planned operations in Surabaya.”

Partnerships will be an important feature of the University’s presence in Indonesia. In August the University will run an executive short course on achieving net zero for local businesses. To be delivered in Jakarta, the course is a collaboration with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KADIN, and the Indonesia Global Compact Network.

ENDS

4 July 2023

Amanda Whibley, Manager, Media and Public Relations.