First joint UK-Australian branch campus to open in Indonesia

Lancaster University will become the first UK institution to open an international branch campus in Indonesia.

In collaboration with Deakin University, Lancaster has been granted approval by Indonesia’s ministry of education to proceed with a new campus in Bandung, West Java.

The campus – which will be the first overseas joint campus between UK and Australian universities – is aiming to welcome its first intake in September across five dual undergraduate degree programmes.

Accommodating up to 1,500 students and around 100 staff, it will give Indonesian students the opportunity to obtain dual undergraduate qualifications from international institutions from home.

The dual degrees bring together existing modules from undergraduate programmes at both universities, enabling students to achieve two individual degree qualifications in one integrated programme of study.

Andy Schofield, Lancaster’s vice-chancellor, said: “Lancaster is committed to making a positive contribution, building our global community of students and, with our partners, making a positive impact to the areas in which we operate.

“During my own visits to the country, I have very much appreciated the warm welcome and support we have received, and we look forward to even closer engagement with stakeholders as we move forward with our shared plans.”

Lancaster University is the largest provider of UK transnational education in Malaysia, in partnership with Sunway University. It also has campuses in Germany, Ghana and China.

Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s international education champion, said the expansion was a “landmark moment” and a testimony to the commitment of the UK government, which identified Indonesia as a priority partner.

“I look forward to working closely with Lancaster University to further enhance the UK-Indonesia education partnership, in line with Indonesia’s ambitions to strengthen the internationalisation of its higher education sector,” added Sir Steve.

The campus will initially deliver five dual undergraduate degree programmes in the areas of business and information technology.

Iain Martin, vice-chancellor of Deakin University, said the joint campus represented an important milestone in Deakin’s long history of engagement with Indonesia.

“Indonesia is expected to make great strides as a global economy in the next few decades and, as a neighbour of Australia, there is enormous potential for mutually beneficial collaboration,” he said.

“Once in operation, Deakin will use the joint campus as a base from which we will continue to build our links with local institutions and industry while connecting our students, staff and communities to Indonesia.”

The Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia campus has received support from the Australian and British governments and has been approved by national regulators in Australia, the UK and Indonesia.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com