Jakarta, 31 March, 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf) has established a strategic partnership with RMIT University through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the development of creative economy human resources between Indonesia and Australia. This collaboration aims to build a foundation for a productive partnership through the development of mutually beneficial programs and activities.
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University at the Ministry of Creative Economy office in Jakarta on Tuesday (March 31, 2026).
“This memorandum of understanding reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger creative ecosystem that fosters innovation, nurtures talent, and prepares human resources for the future. Amid global economic dynamics, the creative sector has proven not only resilient but also as one of the main drivers of growth,” said the Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, during the event held at the Ministry’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The agreement is valid for three years from the date of signing and may be extended based on mutual consent of both parties. The Minister of Creative Economy stated that this signing marks a forward step in strengthening cooperation in the creative economy sector, a sector that continuously connects ideas, talent, and cross-border opportunities. RMIT University’s strong track record in vocational and creative education—covering design, architecture, digital technology, and the arts—positions it as an institution capable of transforming potential into tangible and impactful capabilities.
Through this MoU, both parties have agreed on five main areas of cooperation:
Human resource development and mobility through vocational training, certification, and exchange programs in the subsectors of games, film, animation, music, digital technology, cultural arts, and design.
Strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation through the development of incubators, creative hubs, as well as acceleration and mentoring programs for creative businesses.
Research collaboration and strategic dialogue, including joint research on industry trends and participation in policy forums, symposiums, and international discussions.
Cross-cultural and cross-sector collaboration through the organization of exhibitions, showcases, and co-productions that promote cultural exchange and economic growth.
The development of other forms of cooperation as mutually agreed upon in writing by both parties.
The creative economy currently contributes approximately 7.3 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product, supported by more than 27.4 million workers. Behind these figures are individuals with strong ideas, skills, and aspirations. Reinforcing this, the Minister of Creative Economy emphasized that the government’s role is to ensure that such talent receives the necessary support, development, and access to broader opportunities.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“I hope there will be more collaborations in the form of joint programs, exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives, while also opening broader opportunities for Indonesian talent to learn and grow within the global ecosystem. At the same time, we welcome a stronger presence of RMIT in Indonesia as part of efforts to advance the Asta Cita vision, particularly in developing a more innovative, competitive, and inclusive creative economy,” he said.
From a governance perspective, the agreement underscores the importance of intellectual property protection, where each party retains ownership of its respective intellectual property. Any use by the other party must be subject to prior written consent. In addition, all exchanged information is treated as confidential, and any publication is carried out based on mutual agreement.
Australian Ambassador, Roderick Brazier, conveyed that Indonesia and Australia share a strong commitment to advancing the creative economy sector through collaboration. This partnership is built on a shared economic vision and the belief that creativity can bring people across nations closer together. The impact of such cooperation has been felt across various regions in Indonesia.
“One concrete example is the Australia-Indonesia Cinema Festival, which will be launched next month. Now entering its 11th year, the festival showcases a range of the best creative collaborations between Australia and Indonesia in the film sector, with screenings taking place in 11 cities across Indonesia,” he stated.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
Vice President International of RMIT University, Layton Pike, stated that this partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering creativity, talent development, and sustainable collaboration. He added that the discussion forum held following the signing serves as concrete evidence of this commitment and represents a continuation of various practical collaborations that have already been underway.
“We have been working together for some time, and this marks an important step in strengthening the partnership while enhancing support for Indonesia’s creative economy. It reflects the uniqueness of the collaboration we have built, as well as the approach that RMIT brings to this partnership. We are also committed to expanding RMIT’s presence in Jakarta to further elevate our ambition and contribution in the years ahead following the signing of this MoU,” he said.
Through the signing of this MoU, the Ministry of Creative Economy hopes that cross-country synergy will accelerate talent development, strengthen innovation, and enhance the global competitiveness of Indonesia’s creative economy.
The MoU signing was immediately followed by a Roundtable on “Future Workforce in Games and Animation,” moderated by Mish Eastman, Deputy Vice Chancellor College of Vocational Education at RMIT University, and Muhammad Neil El Himam, Deputy for Digital and Technology Creativity at the Ministry of Creative Economy. The roundtable brought together policymakers, industry representatives, and education partners to exchange views and discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Chloe Ashbolt; Austrade representatives Elise Terrell and Nico Alexander; RMIT University representatives Ms. Mish Eastman and Prashil Singh; as well as Southeast Asia Commissioner of the Victorian Government, Naïla Mazzucco.
The Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Secretary to the Minister / Main Secretary Dessy Ruhati; Deputy for Digital and Technology Creative Economy Muhammad Neil El Himam; Deputy for Media Creativity Agustini Rahayu; Director of Strategic Studies and Management Agus Syarip Hidayat; Director of Marketing System Development and Institutional Relations Radi Manggala; Director of Games Luat S.P. Sihombing; and Director of Film, Animation, and Video Doni Setiawan.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
