From 2024 to 2029, Indonesia has been designated as a priority by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) for increasing the enrollment of international students from ASEAN. This initiative is supported through government scholarships, non-government funding, and university-specific programs, with Okayama University (OU) playing a key role in this effort.

As part of this initiative, the ASEAN Regional Office visited Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) in February to conduct a study-in-Japan outreach program, which attracted hundreds of UNHAS students. Based on the evaluation of this event, the ASEAN Regional Office recognized UNHAS as a strategic partner with significant potential for future impact.

UNHAS and OU have maintained a long-standing partnership, particularly in health sciences faculties. In light of this collaboration, the ASEAN Regional Office extended an invitation to UNHAS to participate in the Strategic Collaboration Meeting of the Global Network Project to Promote Study in Japan, held at OU from 17 to 19 March 2025. The event was fully funded by the ASEAN Regional Office, the project’s coordinating body for ASEAN.

The UNHAS delegation included Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Ruslin; Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Haerani; Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Irfan Sugianto; Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Prof. Sukri; and Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Prof. Ariyanti Saleh.

During the visit, the UNHAS delegation met with OU President, Prof. Yasutomo Nasu, and Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni, Prof. Takayoshi Suzuki. The discussions, facilitated by Indonesia Area Coordinator of the ASEAN Regional Office, Kaori Yajima, focused on expanding collaboration, particularly through the Exchange Program Okayama (EPOK) and opportunities for UNHAS staff to pursue further studies at OU.