The Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia (FIB UI) established a collaboration with the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO), Jakarta, Indonesia, through a working visit to Taiwan from June 25 to July 5, 2026. This activity aimed to conduct field observations, data collection, and explore research collaborations as well as other academic partnerships, particularly in developing collaborative research among scholars from both countries.
The working visit was carried out by two teams composed of FIB UI lecturers. The first team comprised Prof. Sisilia S. Halimi, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. and Shuri Mariasih Gietty, S.Hum., M.Hum., M.A., Ph.D., who visited several universities across Taiwan. Meanwhile, the second team consisted of Dr. Rahadjeng Pulungsari, S.S., M.Hum. and Dilah Kencono, S.S., M.Si., focusing on visiting Cheng Kung University as well as conducting field observations at several historical sites.
The entire itinerary of the First Team to four institutions in Taiwan was carried out under the framework of a research project titled “Library Research and Discussion with Taiwanese Scholars on Collaborative Research”. During the visit to Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages in Kaohsiung, the team engaged in a discussion with Prof. Chiu-Hui Wu regarding the implementation of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) and the internationalization of higher education in Taiwan. This discussion opened up opportunities for research collaboration and joint scientific publication, targeting topics such as student challenges and experiences in EMI lectures within non-degree programs as joint publication outputs.
The team also had the opportunity to hold discussions regarding EMI training, EMI Readiness, and the implementation of bilingual policies in Taiwan at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) with Prof. Wen-Li Tsou. The meeting sparked a collaboration on developing the concept of EMI Readiness through an Ecological Languaging (ELC) approach, while also noting that Taiwan possesses a more systematic national policy framework through its Bilingual 2030 program compared to Indonesia.
Discussions continued at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Hsinchu, where the team met Prof. Lu-Chun (Regine) Lin to discuss bilingual education in Taiwan and the Higher Education Accreditation for Teaching (HEAT) program. FIB UI received support from Prof. Lin for lecturer capacity building in Indonesia alongside UI, including the EMI Enhancement Training projected to take place at FIB UI in October 2026, with an additional proposal to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into EMI learning.
Lastly, the team held discussions with Prof. Nicky Lin and Prof. Yin C. Chuang at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei regarding academic collaboration and the Taiwan Studies network. This discussion highlighted opportunities for joint conferences and stressed the need for a more integrated network among Taiwan Studies Centers across different countries, which have largely been operating independently.
The second team, comprising Dr. Rahadjeng Pulungsari and Mrs. Dilah Kencono, conducted research and observations related to the creative industries. The team specifically met with representatives from Cheng Kung University in Tainan to discuss research collaboration and other academic initiatives. During this visit, the FIB UI delegation was accompanied by two students from FIB UI’s Chinese Studies Program who are currently furthering their Mandarin language studies in Taiwan: Aisyah Nabilah, studying at the Mandarin Training Center (MTC), National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), and Charis Khairunissa Ratna Dewati, studying at the Chinese Language Center, Soochow University, Taipei. The delegation received a warm welcome from Prof. Chung Hsiao-Ling and her team at Cheng Kung University.
In addition to holding academic meetings, the team conducted observations at several historical sites that have been repurposed into tourist spaces and venues for creative industry expression. These included the Huashan 1914 Creative Park—formerly a Japanese-era sake distillery—and the Dadaocheng area, which was known as an important port in the 19th century. The team’s visit to these locations was also accompanied by an alumna of FIB UI’s Chinese Studies Program, Yolanda Marghareta Limbong, S.Hum., MBA., who completed her master’s degree in International Human Resource Development at National Taiwan Normal University.
This collaboration is part of FIB UI’s efforts to expand its international academic network and enhance research quality through cross-border partnerships. The support provided by TETO Jakarta served as an essential factor in making this initiative possible.
FIB UI hopes that this working visit will pave the way for further collaborative programs, whether through joint research, academic exchanges, training programs such as the EMI Enhancement Training, or other mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of culture and humanities. (CA)
