BOGOR, INDONESIA – NAIST delegation visited IPB University on November 3, 2025, to strengthen academic collaboration and explore the possibility of a double-degree doctoral program. The delegation consisted of Prof. Shun Hirota (Professor of Materials Science and Director of the Division for Global Education NAIST), Prof. Hiroyuki Katsuki (Professor of Materials Science), and Assoc. Prof. Juan Paolo Bermundo (Associate Professor of Materials Science and URA Chief of the Strategic Initiative for Global Leadership Development).
The start of agenda is visiting to the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University, Dr. Berry Juliandi, who is also an alumnus of NAIST and currently serves as the President of the INAA. NAIST delegation briefly discussed the purpose of the visit while introducing several of the faculty’s building and recent development.
The main agenda of the visit was a joint meeting with the Directors of all Departments within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. During this session, Prof. Katsuki opened the discussion with an overview of NAIST educational environment, followed by Assoc. Prof. Bermundo, who introduced the research fields and laboratory strengths within the Division of Materials Science. Building on these introductions, Prof. Hirota led the conversation on the possibility of establishing a double-degree doctoral program between NAIST and IPB University.
Throughout the meeting, both sides exchanged insights on the academic and administrative challenges of designing such a program. Topics included the credit transfer systems, dissertation defense procedures, and the feasibility of conducting joint defenses through hybrid examination committees. Prof. Hirota also highlighted NAIST experience implementing double-degree schemes with several institutions in Europe and Taiwan, where students complete integrated research programs and participate in shared defense sessions. IPB University also shared examples of its existing international double-degree collaborations, reinforcing the strong institutional support for such initiatives. Both institutions expressed optimism about developing a framework that meets the academic requirements of Indonesia and Japan.
Following the faculty meeting, the delegation continued its visit to the Department of Physics and the Department of Biochemistry, where short discussions were held with department representatives. These discussions focused on identifying complementary research interests, exploring opportunities for shared laboratory activities, and envisioning collaborative projects that could further strengthen scientific exchange between the two institutions.
Overall, the visit marked a meaningful step forward in the partnership between NAIST and IPB University. With mutual commitment and a clear foundation for further discussion, both sides expressed strong interest in continuing to refine the double-degree program and expanding collaborative opportunities.
