Indonesian Tycoon Urges Scholars to Study China’s Tech Playbook and Bring It Home

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Garibaldi "Boy" Thohir, one of Indonesia’s most prominent energy magnates and head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s China Committee (KIKT), wants the country's next generation of engineers to unlock the mechanics behind Beijing’s rapid rise.

Speaking at a send-off ceremony on Saturday, August 29, 2026, for students awarded the Dharma Bumiputra Scholarship for Indonesia, Mr. Thohir urged recipients bound for Tianjin University to look beyond formal degree certificates and dissect the economic engine of modern China.

"We hope you will study as diligently as possible and learn how China advanced so rapidly over the past 30 years," Mr. Thohir told the scholars in Jakarta. "After that, return home to give your absolute best to the country we love."

For Southeast Asia’s largest economy, the talent pipeline represents the next phase of economic statecraft. While billions of dollars in Chinese capital have poured into Indonesian nickel smelters, digital platforms, and high-speed rail lines over the past decade, domestic industries still face acute shortages of homegrown technical experts. Cultivating an engineering corps trained directly inside Chinese laboratories aims to transition Indonesia from a resource-exporting partner into an advanced manufacturing base.

Beyond Trade Balances

The scholarship initiative is backed jointly by the Indonesian Indigenous Citizens Foundation (YWBI), KIKT, and Tianjin University. It marks a calculated shift for KIKT, which has traditionally operated as a matchmaker for commercial joint ventures.

"KIKT envisions serving as a bridge between the business communities of Indonesia and China," Mr. Thohir said. "As we evolve, we want to expand our role. Beyond trade, we see China's educational progress and want to participate through partnerships like this with Tianjin University."

While the West has long been the default destination for Indonesia's elite students, Mr. Thohir noted that shifting geopolitical and economic realities require a diversified talent pool.

"There is nothing wrong with sending students to China," he said. "That way, we will have top graduates from the United States, Europe, China, and, of course, from our own leading domestic universities."

Strict Selection, Binding Commitments

To verify academic rigor and living conditions, Mr. Thohir personally inspected Tianjin University’s campus alongside retired Army Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono, who chairs YWBI.

The fully funded scholarship covers tuition, living allowances, and targeted student development. From an initial pool of more than 50 applicants nationwide, 17 candidates advanced through an intensive screening process that included the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) for advanced mathematics and chemistry, Mandarin language certifications, and university admissions interviews.

Three finalists—Nadira, Vidya, and Farrel—secured final admission and signed formal integrity pledges committing to return to Indonesia upon graduation.

"We will monitor your progress and stay close to whatever you need," Mr. Thohir said, addressing the scholars. "We want you to succeed and return home to serve, because Indonesia still needs you. You must deliver an even greater contribution than our generation did."

The send-off was attended by key business leaders and patrons, including Indofood executive Franky Welirang, Astra Honda Motor director Thomas Junaidi Alim Wijaya, Barito Pacific representative Jonny Karli, and coal heiress Arini Subianto.