Recognition of foreign qualifications in Indonesia

Hi Priscilla,
Of course my professional qualifications were recognised and accepted by the GOI. I can also speak for Australians, I think the GOI would look at each indiviual and nationality. It also was also dependent on the type of work what you would be doing. I think it would be difficult to get a Kitas if you had dodgy qualifications and came from a place with a lesser standard of education than Indonesia.
Hope this comments will be helpful.
Cheers,
Hank

I can't speak for qualifications as such but I can tell you of a very big push towards Cambridge IGCSE and A levels here.
These foreign examinations are now being offered by many of the international schools and they're even filtering down to lesser schools with fees of 1.5 million/month or less.

Good you brought this up. It's about my son's entry into standard 7 here where we live. Before moving we through my wife's brother in law approached all government schools in our area all refused with the excuse that they are not familiar with the Malaysian education system.
Finally an acquaintance approached a private catholic school about 20 minutes drive from our present home. With open arms son was accepted. The lord sure works in misterous ways.
Now to share a shocking reality. All government schools here have a minimum passing mark of 75% in each subject. Oh my good lord it's 45% to 50% in most countries that I've been to. English here is a compulsary subject.  In my neighbourhood there are many kids my son's age. Not a single kid can speak a word of English yet they score 75% and above in their exams! The same with maths. My neighbour girl of 20 years whom completed standard 12 believe me she can't give a correct answer for count 3+3+3.
Back to the subject the locals here are ashamed we will call out their bluff and therefore do not accept our foreign quality education (hope you know what I mean). But strangely those locals educated overseas are well sought after by the better organizations here.
Well this is Indonesia and it's their education system.

Scores are numbers, and numbers can be 'massaged', ask an accountant.

English was deemed unimportant in state primary schools so few have bothered with it, the upshot being kids from private schools tend to have better chances in the job market when they grow up.
The same goes for well educated Indonesians, many going to foreign universities to complete their degrees, then returning to Indonesia and directly into very nice jobs with a fat sack of cash at the end of every month.
The 2013 national curriculum has just been reintroduced starting this school term, that concentrating on 'Diriku' which is all about religious, moral and social stuff - important but not to the point of cutting down on academic subjects to make room for it.
That leaves English starting in grade 7 which is clearly far too late.

All of the above appears off topic but explains why those Indonesians with foreign a education tend to do very well and, bonus time for expats, means there are serious skill shortages in this country that expats fill in return for a very high salary.
Now for the good bit - only around 8% of Jakarta's population speak English, "Speak" being defined as being able to write a half decent email, that meaning expats are required to conduct foreign trade, something Indonesia is desperate to increase but never will unless the education system is shaken up in a massive way.
As things are at the moment, Indonesia is doomed to rely on kids going through international schools and expats, and that isn't going to change any time soon.

In answer to the OP, Indonesians with foreign degrees are snapped up by top paying employers and well educated foreigners are essential to this country.

would it be possible to use A-levels to move from one university to another? after a student has already studied one year of Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes) ?

Dear all,

Hope this is on topic. I have studied a university bachelor Chinese language and culture in the Netherlands. When I had just finished (last year) I spent two months in Indonesia. By chance I saw an advert for translator at a local textile factory. I applied there with my Dutch credentials and work experience. Even though I wasn't hired, I got the feeling they did seriously consider me for the job. I believe in this case I could have been directly admissible.

Kind regards,

Ewout
P.S. fun fact: the suit I bought in Indonesia for the job interview later helped me secure a job in the Netherlands

It's not so much about whether foreign qualifications are recognized in Indonesia (they are), but more about the eligibility of foreigners to work in Indonesia. For locals, those with a degree or post grad degree from an overseas university tend to get a higher salary than those with a local degree.