Dutch organization Nuffic Neso, serving as a regional liaison for higher education and knowledge exchange, marks its 30th anniversary in Indonesia while expanding its focus to cover all of Southeast Asia. Originally founded in 1996 as the Netherlands Education Centre (NEC), the organization has since rebranded as Nuffic Southeast Asia, supporting connections between academic institutions, governments, and industry stakeholders across the Netherlands, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
The past three decades have seen major shifts in international educational collaboration. What once centered on scholarships and student exchanges now includes institutional growth, regional education policies, workforce training, research initiatives, and innovation. Despite these changes, one guiding principle has endured: effective knowledge-sharing depends on strong relationships and human engagement.
Expanding Nuffic’s Influence
“In an increasingly interconnected world, knowledge cooperation is a strategic investment. By connecting Dutch expertise with the knowledge, talent and ambitions of partners in Southeast Asia, our project office in Jakarta helps create opportunities for innovation and sustainable development,” Nuffic director general Marco Schouten said.
In its early years, Nuffic prioritized increasing access to Dutch higher education for Indonesian students and professionals while deepening bilateral educational ties. A key turning point came with the StuNed scholarship program, a Dutch government initiative that enabled thousands of Indonesians to study and advance professionally in the Netherlands.
The program’s impact persists, with over 5,000 graduates now applying their skills in government, academia, business, and civil society roles. In 2007, the office rebranded as Nuffic Neso Indonesia, signaling its expanded role in educational partnerships.
Broader Regional Engagement
As regional integration advanced, Nuffic’s work shifted beyond student recruitment to include institutional partnerships and policy discussions. A major milestone was its involvement in the European Union Support to Higher Education in the ASEAN Region (EU SHARE) program, launched in 2015.
In 2023, Nuffic began formalizing its broader Southeast Asia mandate, culminating in the May 7, 2024, launch of Nuffic Southeast Asia. Today, the Jakarta office oversees more than 20 active projects across the region.
Driving Sustainable Growth and Innovation
Ongoing programs like the Dutch Training and Exposure Program (DUTEP), active since 2014, highlight the benefits of long-term cooperation. Additional platforms, including the Week of Indonesia Netherlands Education and Research (WINNER) and NL Knowledge House, continue to bridge Indonesian and Dutch academic communities.
New ventures such as Empower Youth4Food and the Netherlands-Southeast Asia Semiconductor Talent Program reflect Nuffic’s growing focus on sustainability, innovation, and skills development through industry-academia collaborations. The EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package-Higher Education Program (SCOPE-HE) further demonstrates Nuffic Southeast Asia’s expanded regional responsibilities.
