- King's College London launched its transnational education programme in East Java’s Singhasari SEZ, marking its first Russell Group university presence in Indonesia.
- MSc Digital Economies and MA Digital Futures programmes aim to support Indonesia’s innovation drive, backed by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships.
- Top UK and Indonesian leaders attended the launch, reinforcing bilateral ties and shared commitment to human capital development and digital education.
King's College London officially inaugurated its new transnational education program in the Special Economic Zone of Singhasari in East Java. British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey, Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Professor Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President International, Engagement and Services, King's College London, David Santoso, Chair of King's College London Singhasari Foundation, and Summer Xia, Country Director of British Council Indonesia, were present at the launch.
Committed from the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) the King's College London and Singhasari Partnership programme will offer high quality Master's programs in MSc Digital Economies and MA Digital Futures. Supported by funding from the British Council's Going Global Partnerships program, this partnership fits with Indonesia's priority sectors as well as supporting East Java's visions of becoming a regional hub for innovation and education.
The King's College London Singhasari Foundation Chair, David Santoso welcomed guests to the event, with a welcome from King's Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Shitij Kapur, who thanked those who had facilitated the partnership by saying "May I begin by extending my special thanks to the Indonesian Government for being with us, and for selecting King's as the Special Economic Zone education partner". By doing so, you have made King's the first Russell Group university to be offering place-based transnational education in Indonesia something we are honored and proud to be holding."
Professor Kapur also marked the completion of the first cohort of students who were already enrolled in their MSc Digital Economies programmes, "As the first class, you are leading the way on our vision; the pioneers who will create the heritage of this programme and pave the way for others who will come behind you".
King's College London and Singhasari Partnership, which opened for its inaugural cohort of students in September 2024 under the leadership of King's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, is set to develop its offer over the next few years to include more faculties at King's, increasing the options open to students. The King's programmes are taught through hybrid learning on a campus commissioned by the Singhasari Special Economic Zone within the Regency of Malang, East Java.
Senior Indonesian government representatives, such as Madam Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, East Java Province Governor; and Professor Fauzan, Vice Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, delivered keynote addresses regarding the alliance and the future of Indonesia's higher education, to the assembled guests. Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, King's College London's Vice President International, Engagement and Services, also addressed guests regarding King's proud and strong history of high-impact collaborations with Indonesia.
Dominic Jermey, British Ambassador to Timor-Leste and Indonesia stated "The opening of King's in Singhasari is a genuine show of the UK's commitment to enhancing Indonesia's human capital development through first-class education". The UK has world-class universities providing an extensive spectrum of education and research capabilities and I am extremely proud to witness King's College London form a new partnership with the Singhasari Special Economic Zone which brings our collaboration to the next level.
"Education is one of the key issues covered by President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer when they met in London last year. The two leaders agreed to renew our relationship and enhance the relationship between the UK and Indonesia through a new, deeper Strategic Partnership".
Summer Xia, Director South East Asia and Country Director Indonesia, British Council, stated "This partnership is a milestone for higher education in Indonesia. With the British Council Going Global Partnerships programme, we are delighted to enable King's College London to bring top-class education to East Java opening life-changing opportunities to students and enhancing the region's position as a center of innovation". This is about more than a transnational education (TNE) project it's a joint commitment by UK and Indonesia to equipping young people with the international mindset, imagination, and competencies necessary to succeed in the digital economy. We hope to see this partnership flourish, driven by trust, aspiration, and a vision of shared excellence."
