Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C. — Indonesia strengthened its education and cultural diplomacy through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Washington, D.C., represented by Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo, and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), represented by Rector Professor Didi Sukyadi, on July 31, 2026. The agreement aims to expand the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program in the United States and promote Bahasa Indonesia as a global language.
The partnership marks a new phase of academic cooperation focused on increasing access to Indonesian language education for Americans and the Indonesian diaspora while reinforcing the role of language as an instrument of cultural diplomacy.
As one of Indonesia’s leading universities and ranked among the world’s top 200 institutions in education, UPI brings extensive academic expertise to the collaboration. The university has established itself as a pioneer in the internationalization of Bahasa Indonesia through its BIPA program, which has trained thousands of learners from various countries at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
UPI has also developed a master’s degree program specializing in Teaching Indonesian to Speakers of Other Languages, designed to prepare professional BIPA instructors and language experts for international assignments.
Under the new agreement, UPI will assign four professional Indonesian-English language instructors to deliver online BIPA courses for participants across the United States. The initiative is expected to improve the quality of Indonesian language instruction while introducing Indonesia’s cultural heritage to a wider international audience.
Indonesia’s language diplomacy has gained further momentum following UNESCO’s recognition of Bahasa Indonesia in 2023 as one of the official languages used in its international forums. The recognition reflects the growing international relevance of the language and creates broader opportunities for its promotion as a medium of global communication.
Beyond language education, UPI continues to expand its international academic partnerships. One of its strategic collaborators is Indiana University Bloomington in the United States, where Indonesian students have opportunities to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in education through Indonesia’s LPDP scholarship program. Faculty members from both institutions are also conducting joint research projects aimed at strengthening educational quality and academic capacity.
The collaboration between UPI, Indiana University Bloomington, and other U.S. universities is expected to enhance human resource development, facilitate knowledge and educational technology transfer, strengthen international academic networks, and improve the global competitiveness of Indonesian graduates. It also contributes to stronger bilateral relations between Indonesia and the United States through education and cultural exchange.
Through initiatives such as the BIPA program, Indonesia seeks not only to send qualified educators abroad but also to promote its national identity, cultural values, and civilization. Language serves as a bridge connecting people across borders, while education provides the foundation for deeper and more sustainable international partnerships. (*)
