Bandung, July 24, 2025 – Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) officially welcomed a delegation from INTI International University & Colleges, Malaysia, to explore various collaboration opportunities in education, research, and international academic mobility. The meeting took place at UPI’s Teacher Professional Education Building (PPG UPI), located on the Bumi Siliwangi Campus in Bandung.

The primary agenda of this visit was to discuss long-term strategic collaborations between the two institutions, forming part of UPI’s efforts to expand its international network and strengthen its strategic position on the global stage.

The delegation from INTI International University included Prof. Dr. Goh Khang Wen, Pro Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement, accompanied by Chen Si Ying, Assistant Director of the International Relations and Collaboration Centre.

Meanwhile, representatives from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia included:

  • Dr. rer. nat. Nandi, S.Pd., M.T., M.Sc., Director of the Directorate of International Affairs
  • Arif Hidayat, M.Si., Ph.D.Ed., Head of the Division of International Cooperation and University Enhancement
  • Heri Puspito Diyah Setiyorini, M.M., Ph.D., Head of the Division of International Program Development

During their presentation, INTI outlined its institutional profile, history, vision, mission, and international program development. INTI operates under the Hope Education Group, which possesses a global education network in various countries, including Thailand, China, Hungary, Poland, the Philippines, and Indonesia. INTI also has several campuses spread across Malaysia:

  • Penang
  • Subang, Selangor
  • Nilai, Negeri Sembilan
  • Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

INTI has five main faculties and several educational development centers:

  • Faculty of Business and Communications (FBC)
  • Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology (FDSIT)
  • Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts (FELA)
  • Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying (FEQS)
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS)
  • INTI Health Management School
  • Centre for Postgraduate Studies
  • Centre for Continuing Learning

The programs offered range from formal education at various levels to professional training and continuous development programs. INTI also emphasized the importance of sustainability-based education through green campus initiatives and the development of renewable energy.

In the ensuing discussion, INTI presented various collaboration opportunities open to UPI, including:

  • Student exchange programs
  • Short study programs or customized study tours based on students’ fields of study
  • Lecturer exchange program and visiting scholars
  • Offline and online teacher training
  • Academic program collaborations in the form of franchises or dual awards
  • Invitations to online academic forums and international symposiums
  • Joint research collaborations

INTI also stated that it was the number one university in attracting inbound exchange students in 2024, reflecting the strength and appeal of its international programs.

Regarding student exchange programs, INTI expressed readiness to accept UPI students for one-semester programs. Students participating in this program will receive institutional support and guidance. It is hoped that UPI students who already possess passports will be interested in participating and be prepared to process student visas, book air tickets, and attend to personal needs during their stay in Malaysia.

Dr. rer. nat. Nandi welcomed the collaboration opportunities and stated that UPI’s international mobility collaborations have generally focused on undergraduate (S1) students. However, if feasible, UPI would open opportunities to expand these collaborations to postgraduate (S2) levels with INTI International University.

Heri Puspito Diyah Setiyorini added that the potential for collaboration could be expanded in various forms, such as joint curriculum development, support for participation in international conferences, the appointment of adjunct professors, the organisation of inbound summer programs, outbound summer exchanges, short courses, and Educational Leaders Visiting Scholar (ELVS) programs. Additionally, thematic training and collaborative research are also deemed capable of enhancing the academic quality of both parties globally.

For information, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia is currently a leading higher education institution in Indonesia in the field of education, ranking 251–300 globally. UPI has over 150 active international collaborations with main partners from Japan and South Korea, and continues to expand partnerships with China, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Currently, the largest number of international students at UPI comes from Uzbekistan and China.

UPI has nine faculties:

  • Faculty of Educational Sciences (FIP)
  • Faculty of Social Sciences Education (FPIPS)
  • Faculty of Language and Literature Education (FPBS)
  • Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education (FPMIPA)
  • Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Education (FPTI)
  • Faculty of Sports and Health Education (FPOK)
  • Faculty of Economics and Business Education (FPEB)
  • Faculty of Art and Design Education (FPSD)
  • Faculty of Medicine (FK)

In addition, UPI has a Postgraduate School (SPs) and five regional campuses located in Cibiru, Purwakarta, Tasikmalaya, Sumedang, and Serang, scattered across West Java. UPI’s study programs are not only focused on education but also include non-educational programs. In the field of publications, UPI has published scientific journals at SINTA 1–6 levels, as well as reputable international journals ranked in Q1 to Q3.

Moving forward, UPI and INTI will continue to discuss further concrete forms of cooperation, including faculty and student exchanges, joint curriculum development, international training, and collaborative research with academic and social impact. With the academic strengths, cooperative spirit, and international vision shared by both universities, it is hoped that this collaboration will develop strategically and provide tangible benefits for the advancement of global education. (Inayah Alawiyyah/Fathan Sofwan Apip)