German-Indonesian “Elite Connect Indonesia” Program at RPTU Aims to Strengthen Cooperation in STEM Fields
From June 8 to 11, 2026, the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau welcomed an Indonesian delegation for a German-Indonesian study visit on its Kaiserslautern campus. The event was organized by the Office of International Affairs (RefIntA) and was specifically designed to foster collaboration in the field of STEM degree programs.
The ten-member delegation from the Greater Jakarta area consisted of representatives from three schools — Santa Laurensia High School Banten, Saint John’s Catholic School Banten, and St. Ursula Catholic School Jakarta — as well as the Goethe-Institut Jakarta and the Jakarta office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
The purpose of the visit was to get to know one another personally and to engage in an in-depth professional exchange. The focus was on providing insights into the STEM degree programs offered at RPTU as well as the requirements for studying in Germany. Representatives from the departments of Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Electrical and Information Technology (EIT), and Mechanical and Process Engineering (MV) presented their degree programs and exchange opportunities. In addition, the RefIntA provided information on support services for international students.
A special emphasis was placed on giving the guests a comprehensive impression of the academic culture and university life at RPTU. In addition to academic program activities, participants gained insights into student life and regional culture through a campus tour led by students, a city tour of Kaiserslautern, and a group dinner. Direct interaction with students and university staff facilitated valuable personal encounters.
The “Elite Connect Indonesia” program has a long-term goal: for the participants to serve as advocates in Indonesia and to provide well-informed guidance on study opportunities at RPTU in the future. Through their advisory work—particularly via the DAAD network and the work of the Goethe-Institut—they reach numerous young people interested in studying abroad and their families.
Feedback on the event was consistently positive. Both the participants and the organizing team expressed great satisfaction with the insights they gained. The personal exchanges were particularly highlighted as valuable, as they fostered a better mutual understanding of each other’s educational systems.
“Elite Connect Indonesia” has not only laid the groundwork for closer collaboration with Elite partners in Indonesia but has also opened up concrete opportunities: Together, the participating partners aim to attract more students from Indonesia to pursue a STEM bachelor’s degree at RPTU in the future.
With this initiative, RPTU underscores its commitment to international cooperation and the promotion of global academic exchange in the STEM field. At the same time, it is part of a complementary recruitment strategy with RPTU through which RPTU specifically targets international high-potential students and attracts them to pursue their studies and long-term academic careers at RPTU.
The event was funded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health as part of efforts to strengthen internationalization at universities.
Contacts:
Cooperation with Indonesia and Strategic Recruitment Strategy for International High-Potential Students
Dr.-Ing. Parya Memar
Phone: +49 (0)631 205 4002
Email: parya.memar[at]rptu.de
Alternative pathways to higher education through elite schools in Indonesia:
Ms. Laura Lombardi, M.A.
Phone: +49 (0)631 205 5181
Email: laura.lombardi[at]rptu.de