Monash University, Indonesia becomes the first foreign-owned in-country campus partner for the Ministry of Religious Affairs Scholarship
Professor Matthew Nicholson (left) and Dr. Ruchman Basori (right) holding the MoU document
BSD City, Tangerang – Monash University, Indonesia has achieved a historic milestone in the Indonesian higher education landscape by becoming the first foreign-owned, in-country university to serve as a campus partner for the Beasiswa Indonesia Bangkit (BIB) program.
The partnership, managed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) in collaboration with LPDP, officially opens a new door for Indonesia’s religious-based academic community to access world-class postgraduate education without leaving the country. Starting in March 2026, the BIB scholarship will cover all Master’s degree programs at Monash University, Indonesia, including Business, Arts, Information Technology, Design, and Health.
Bridging global excellence with local impact
Since its establishment in 2021 as Indonesia’s first foreign university, Monash University, Indonesia has focused on supporting national human capital development. This new agreement signifies a strategic expansion of that mission, specifically targeting the vibrant and historically significant religious-based education sector.
The partnership was formalised on Thursday, 19 February 2026, during a hybrid ceremonial signing held at the Monash University, Indonesia campus. The event featured Professor Matthew Nicholson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, Indonesia, and Dr. Ruchman Basori, Head of Religious Education Funding at MoRA.
Strengthening Indonesia’s intellectual resilience
For Monash University, Indonesia, this collaboration is more than a scholarship agreement; it is an acknowledgement of the vital role religious institutions play in Indonesia’s social and intellectual fabric.
Professor Matthew Nicholson welcoming MoRA representatives and delivering the opening remarks
"The role of religious-based higher education in Indonesia is profoundly significant," said Professor Matthew Nicholson. "These institutions play a vital role in fostering intellectual resilience amid rapid technological and societal transformation. For Monash University, collaboration with religious higher education is therefore not only strategic but also essential—both for national development and for advancing inclusive, diverse academic ecosystems."
Empowering the MoRA community
The BIB scheme at Monash University, Indonesia is designed to be inclusive. It is open to a wide range of prospective awardees from the MoRA community, including:
- Civil servants and ministry personnel.
- Academics and researchers from religious-based higher education institutions.
- Teachers from religious-based schools, for example Madrasas and Pesantrens in the Islamic education context.
- Students from all religious backgrounds under the Ministry’s guidance.
Dr. Ruchman Basori highlighted that this partnership responds to a long-standing aspiration within the academic community. By entrusting students to Monash University, Indonesia, the Ministry aims to connect Indonesian religious-based scholars more directly to global academic standards while remaining rooted in the local context.
Dr. Ruchman Basori delivering the welcoming speech
Dr. Ruchman Basori emphasised that including Monash University, Indonesia as a partner fulfills a long-standing aspiration of the Ministry: to provide religious-based academic communities with access to internationally recognised education without the necessity of studying abroad.
"The inclusion of Monash University, Indonesia as a partner responds to a long-standing aspiration: enabling the religious-based academic communities to access internationally recognised education without having to study abroad," noted Dr. Ruchman Basori. "Through this partnership, the Ministry seeks to connect Indonesia more directly to global academic competition by entrusting its students to pursue their studies at Monash University, Indonesia, with full confidence in the institution’s quality and standards.”
Looking Ahead: A vision for growth
Professor Matthew Nicholson (left) and Dr. Ruchman Basori (right) signing the MoU document
While the pilot program commences with Master’s degrees, both parties expressed a shared vision for the future. There is a mutual hope that this collaboration will eventually expand to include Undergraduate and Doctoral (PhD) levels, further cementing the bond between global research excellence and Indonesia’s religious education sectors.
Following the signing, Monash University’s admissions team conducted a socialisation session to guide prospective applicants through the March 2026 intake process. For the MoRA community, this marks the beginning of a journey where "Global Excellence" meets "National Contribution."