In brief
The Jakarta expo showcased 21 Chinese universities, drawing roughly 3,000 students and parents who are eager to use Chinese proficiency to study in China and pursue careers. High‑school students like Calysta Wijaya and Richard Babel illustrate the trend, while alumni such as Dexter Godwin demonstrate career returns. Despite the enthusiasm, questions remain about visas, credit transfer and long‑term support for returning graduates.
The 2026 Indonesia HSK Study and Career Expo in Jakarta attracted about 3,000 Indonesian students, parents and language learners on Sunday, as Chinese universities and agencies displayed admission opportunities and career prospects.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Education and the China–Indonesia Friendship Association, highlighted 21 Chinese universities, including Peking University and Tsinghua University. Attendees could learn about the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) proficiency test, application timelines and financial aid options.
Among the crowds was 16‑year‑old Calysta Jacqueline Wijaya, a high‑school student who has been studying Chinese for eleven years. “I want to study pharmacy in China,” Calysta told Xinhua, noting that she hopes to bring professional knowledge back to Indonesia to help more people. She is currently working to improve her HSK score in preparation for university applications.
Her classmate, 15‑year‑old Richard Dharma Hungnata, shares a similar aspiration. Having studied Chinese since first‑grade, he can already communicate fluently in the language. Having visited Beijing and Shanghai, he sees China’s development as a model for Indonesia and hopes to pursue engineering at a Chinese university, targeting a higher HSK score after his second year of high school.
The event also showcased success stories that link language learning to concrete professional outcomes. At a booth run by the Beijing‑based China University of Petroleum, an alumnus named Dexter Godwin, an Indonesian graduate who earned a degree in petroleum engineering in China, was speaking to prospective applicants about his career in Indonesia’s oil sector. He emphasized the practical benefits of Chinese language skills in dealing with China‑based companies and technologies.
Teacher and Mandarin centre director Zheng Wenting noted a sharp rise in domestic demand for Chinese instruction. She said more Indonesian parents are now enrolling their children in Chinese language programs, and enrollment at her institution has grown from about 50 students per intake a decade ago to nearly 500 today. This reflects a broader trend in Indonesia where Chinese education is becoming a key component of pre‑university learning.
Beyond admission pathways, the expo touched on career prospects for Indonesian youths who study abroad. Panelists discussed the importance of bridging cultural and professional gaps, and the potential for graduates to enhance local industries in fields ranging from petroleum engineering to pharmaceuticals.
While the enthusiasm among students and parents was palpable, the expo also highlighted logistical considerations such as visa processing, tuition fees, and the need for clear credit transfer arrangements between Chinese and Indonesian universities. These are common concerns voiced by parents and students during the event, yet detailed solutions have not yet been formally announced by either government.
In the broader context, the expo represents a continuation of Indonesia’s efforts to diversify its higher‑education partnerships beyond traditional Western destinations. The partnership with China aligns with the “Belt and Road” initiative, aiming to strengthen economic ties and knowledge exchange.
Experts attending the event noted that the success of such initiatives depends on sustained collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, and industry partners. However, gaps remain in terms of curriculum alignment, post‑study employment support, and long‑term language maintenance for returning graduates.
In summary, Jakarta’s HSK Study and Career Expo has provided a platform for Indonesian youths like Calysta and Richard to envision futures that span borders, while highlighting the pivotal role of Chinese language proficiency in accessing global opportunities. As the number of students pursuing studies in China grows, Indonesia faces the challenge of ensuring that these educational investments translate into tangible career outcomes and national development gains.
