University of Kentucky Partnership Project in Indonesia

This proposal is to begin implementation of a strategic partnership between the University of Kentucky and three key Indonesian universities, Brawijaya University (Malang, East Java), University of Lampung (Banda Lampung, South Sumatra), and Syiah Kuala University (Banda Aceh, North Sumatra) to help them in reforming their academic programs to serve the people in their region. The program restructuring will focus in the areas that are relevant to their regional economies – agriculture, business, education, engineering, and public administration. This collaboration will not only strengthen U.S. ties with important institutions in Indonesia, but also improve the supply of talented graduates that can enter the work force. This project integrates well into USAID’s Strategic Plan for Indonesia, 2004-08. The partnership would strengthen Indonesian higher education in technical areas of agriculture, business, education, and engineering, which would have great benefits for SO-1, SO-2 and SO-3. The business climate will be improved by having better trained students going into the public and private sectors. Students who understand the need for effective, clear regulations that are advertised and enforced; who have more skilled to be used in agricultural research and extension; who have technical skills that businesses need and the management expertise that can attract new investment; who understand ways that promote learning in primary and secondary schools; who have technical know-how in engineering fields that can help in manufacturing and other industries; and who can provide better government services at the regional and local levels.