Jakarta. The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Indonesia (FKUI) and McGill University recently unveiled a joint international degree program agreement for the master’s program in surgical and international sciences.

This marks the beginning of a new phase of academic cooperation that is more structured and has a direct impact on students. The agreement allows FKUI bachelor’s graduates to pursue a master's degree at McGill University with a thesis-based program. Upon completion of the program, students will return to Indonesia to complete their professional medical education. This scheme provides an opportunity for aspiring Indonesian doctors to experience the research and education atmosphere at one of the world's top universities while still contributing to the national health system.

“Student exchanges and academic collaborations like this strengthen people-to-people ties. Universities play a crucial role in building long-term mutual understanding and trust,” Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab said. 

Both countries recently agreed to strengthen people-to-people links when President Prabowo Subianto and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in Ottawa last September. In 2020, the University of Indonesia and McGill University already inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This partnership was initiated by Dr. Eva Suarthana and Prof. Togas Tulandi — two Indonesian diaspora alumni of FKUI who now teach in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McGill University.

Such a partnership is expected to have benefits far beyond the campus. Investments in health education and research have been proven to have a direct impact on the quality of health services and the nation's resilience in facing global health challenges.