InDe-PaHT

Launch of the German-Indonesian Partnership for Sustainable Higher Education Development and Transformation (InDe-PaHT) – New Double Degree and Doctoral Programs to Strengthen International Competence and the Circular Economy

Osnabrück, April 13, 2026 – Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (HS OS), in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), has secured approval for the InDe-PaHT project (German-Indonesian Partnership for Sustainable Higher Education Development and Transformation). Running from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, the three-year initiative strengthens German-Indonesian cooperation in higher education through practice-oriented teaching, research, and knowledge exchange with a strong focus on sustainability and circular economy.

A central pillar of the project is the further development of the International Doctorate in Business (IDB) at FEB UGM as an application-oriented doctoral program that connects advanced research with real-world managerial and societal challenges. Through this collaboration, IDB FEB UGM is expected to serve as an important platform for nurturing internationally engaged doctoral candidates, particularly in the areas of circular economy, sustainable business, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. The project also opens wider opportunities for joint supervision, doctoral symposia, research collaboration, and academic mobility between Indonesia and Germany.

Alongside the doctoral collaboration with UGM, the project will also support the establishment of a double-degree Master’s program with UNPAD in Bandung, integrating public-interest-oriented and internationally relevant content into the Master of Management and Master of International Business and Management curricula. In addition, mobility and networking initiatives—such as annual excursions, digital collaboration platforms, and regular academic forums—will strengthen international engagement, increase student mobility, and enhance the research and innovation capacity of the partner institutions.

The project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Kai-Michael Griese, together with Gita Lestari-K?tting and Arunabha Chakraborty, with support from strategic partners including the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Hamburg, the Indonesian Student Association in Osnabrück (PPI Osnabrück), and regional businesses.
“The International Doctorate in Business at FEB UGM is designed to prepare executive and professional doctoral students to address complex business and societal challenges through applied research,” said Prof. Dr. Nurul Indarti, Head of the Department of Management at FEB UGM and Program Chair of the International Doctorate in Business (IDB). “Through InDe-PaHT, we see a valuable opportunity to strengthen IDB’s international academic ecosystem, expand collaborative research on circular economy, and connect doctoral education more closely with global knowledge networks.”

Gita Lestari-K?tting, coordinator of the International Business and Management Master’s program at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, added: "As a bridge between Indonesia and Germany, I bring not only linguistic and cultural expertise but also many years of experience in coordinating an international degree program. InDe-PaHT allows us to create practical learning formats that provide students on both sides with valuable insights into sustainable economic practices."

Prof. Dr. Kai-Michael Griese highlighted the institutional significance of the initiative: “The introduction of independent doctoral awarding powers for applied sciences in Lower Saxony opens up enormous possibilities. InDe-PaHT leverages this opportunity to build a highly relevant and forward-looking research network with our Indonesian partners, especially in areas related to circular economy and sustainable transformation.”

The project supports the international development strategy of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences while also contributing to the broader strengthening of academic capacity and institutional collaboration in Indonesia. It aligns with key global sustainability priorities, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), through the integration of research, teaching, and practice within international academic collaboration.

In the first year of the project, the academic and operational framework for the doctoral and double-degree programs will be further developed, the first doctoral symposium will be prepared, and initial mobility activities for Master’s students will be organized. The first doctoral candidates involved in the collaboration are expected to begin their research activities as early as 2026.

Contact
Gita Lestari-K?tting & Arunabha Chakraborty, Project Coordinators, Caprivistr. 30 a, 49076 Osnabrück, Phone: +49 541 / 969-3569

Prof. Dr. Kai-Michael Griese, Program Director – Master International Business and Management Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences. E-Mail: k.m.griese@hs-osnabrueck.de, Phone: +49 541 969 3880

Since the launch of the project in January, several regular virtual meetings have been organized to ensure effective coordination, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement throughout the project implementation.

The meetings include:

• Regular internal meetings between the project director and project coordinators to monitor project activities and implementation progress

• Monthly Jour Fixe meetings between the project team and the core team from UGM

• Monthly Jour Fixe meetings between the project team and the core team from UNPAD

• Meetings with internal stakeholders, including the Vice President for Research, Knowledge Transfer and Academic Qualification, the coordinator of Agro-Technicum, the Head of the Center for International Mobility, Responsible Person at the Promotion College at dafabet888官网,大发dafa888 Osnabrück.

• Meetings with external stakeholders to support collaboration, exchange, and dissemination activities

These meetings contribute to continuous communication, effective decision-making, and the successful implementation of the project.

Two students of Master of Management from Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), representing the first cohort of the double degree program, will begin their studies alongside full-time students in the Master International Business and Management program at dafabet888官网,大发dafa888 Osnabrück (HSOS) in the 2026/27 academic year. The program is fully funded by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), with participating students receiving full scholarships.

Designed for experienced business leaders, the International Doctorate in Business (IDB) at the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Gadjah Mada offers a rigorous academic journey to transform executive insight into scholarly contribution. This program supports a new generation of practitioner-scholars in advancing impactful and contextually grounded business knowledge.

Details of the program, application and the admission process can be found at the International Doctorate in Business (IDB) - Website and the program poster. 

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Interactive Map: UAS.International Projects

First international doctoral symposium bringing together HSOS and UGM faculty and researchers. Focus on presenting research ideas, exchanging expertise, and strengthening academic collaboration in sustainability and Circular Economy.

High-level visit by HSOS Vice President to meet UGM and UNPAD leadership. Focus on strategic alignment, strengthening institutional cooperation, and expanding long-standing partenership between the Universities.

Official five faculty members delegation visit from UGM to HSOS including workshops, academic discussions, guest lecture and networking sessions. Aimed at deepening collaboration in teaching, research, and internationalization.

One-week academic exchange program where ten Master IBM students together with UNPAD students participate in workshops on SDGs and Circular Economy, collaborate on joint projects, and engage with industry partners through company visits.

One-week academic exchange program where 2 bachelor and 2 master's students from UNPAD together with students in HSOS participate in workshops, collaborate on joint projects, and engage with industry partners through company visits.

Academic research stay for a UNPAD lecturer at HSOS. Focus on joint research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and development of a co-authored scientific publication.