According to Ministry of Education figures, the number of Indonesian students pursuing higher education in Taiwan in 2022 was 16,639, compared with about 11,000 in Australia, 8,003 in the US and 3,087 in the UK.
Unfortunately, the data from the ministry is not widely disseminated in Indonesian statistical reports or mass media. Consequently, Indonesian officials in Jakarta might not be fully aware of the challenges faced by Indonesian students in Taiwan.
Furthermore, these figures do not account for Indonesian migrant workers studying at the Indonesian Open University or enrolled in Indonesian online programs equal to secondary school.
In countries where Indonesian students pursue higher education, Indonesia’s Ministry of Education typically appoints attaches at embassies. The role of an attache is strategic in fostering cooperation in education, research, technology and culture, as well as strengthening public diplomacy.
Indonesia has education attaches stationed in 19 capital cities. Despite the significant number of Indonesian students in Taiwan, no education attache has been appointed at the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office (IETO) in Taipei, Indonesia’s de facto embassy in Taiwan.
Instead, student affairs have been managed by the Protection Section, which is an unusual arrangement. Given that this section is already overwhelmed with protection programs for more than 313,000 Indonesian citizens in Taiwan — most of whom are migrant workers — the need for an education attache is evident.
The absence of formal diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Taiwan might explain why there is no education attache in Taipei. However, considering that other Indonesian ministries, such as the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Immigration, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have officials at IETO, there is no reason why an official from the education ministry cannot be appointed.
An education attache at IETO would play a crucial role in guiding and supporting Indonesian students in Taiwan. Their presence would facilitate greater student enrolment in Taiwan’s top universities, allowing them to bring back valuable knowledge and expertise to Indonesia.
Taiwan offers numerous scholarships for Indonesian students. Indonesian students, particularly at the master’s and doctoral levels, frequently engage in research collaboration, gaining critical experience that benefits Indonesia upon their return.
Taiwanese universities are recognized in Indonesia for their quality, with National Taiwan University ranked among the world’s top 100 universities.
Establishing an Indonesian education official in Taipei would enhance collaboration between Indonesian and Taiwanese universities, and support the internationalization of Indonesian higher education.
Taiwan’s success in higher education and research is evident in its leadership in the semiconductor industry. Enhanced academic collaboration between Indonesia and Taiwan through the role of an education official in Taipei would enable Indonesia to benefit from Taiwan’s expertise in cutting-edge fields.
An attache could also help prevent exploitative practices that mislead students into becoming factory workers under the guise of educational programs.
Given the many advantages of having an attache, Indonesia’s Ministry of Education should appoint a representative at IETO. This would ensure better support for Indonesian students in Taiwan, facilitating their academic success and strengthening educational ties between the two nations.
Raden Mokhamad Luthfi is a doctoral candidate in international relations at National Chengchi University, a lecturer at Al Azhar Indonesia University, and deputy chairman of Indonesian Student Association in Taiwan.
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