Indonesia and Myanmar agree on university exchanges and pilot training
University partnerships and training in Indonesia for four Myanmar aviation students were among the agreements reached at Indonesia Expo 2026 in Yangon, the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon said. The education agreements were concluded on October 31.
Pilot training builds on an earlier agreement
Perkasa Flight School agreed at the expo to train four Myanmar students in Indonesia. The embassy linked the arrangement to a memorandum of understanding signed with Myanmar Airways in early 2026 and said it demonstrated the Myanmar partner's confidence in the Indonesian school's professional training.
According to Perkasa, its Cadet Pilot Program agreement with Myanmar Airways International (MAI) was signed at the airline's Yangon office on February 24, 2026. The signatories were MAI CEO Tanes Kumas and Perkasa CEO Septo Sudiro. Selected cadets receive ground instruction, flight training and simulator sessions, preparing them to join MAI if they meet the airline's standards.
Training under that program was already underway before the expo: Perkasa said the first group of MAI cadets started on July 6, 2026. Myanmar's state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the commercial pilot course for Myanmar students at the school lasts 14 months.
Perkasa also reported that nine of its cadets completed their first solo flights between September 23 and October 1, 2026. Five were enrolled in the MAI Cadet Pilot Program.
Universities set out exchange and research plans
The higher-education agreements involve two Indonesian universities. Widyatama University signed an MoU with Yangon University of Foreign Languages (YUFL) to exchange students and faculty, conduct joint research, hold academic seminars and collaborate on scientific publications. The embassy said YUFL had not previously signed an MoU with an Indonesian private university.
President University's agreement with Knowledge Management & Dedication Company Limited (KMD) provides for student exchanges alongside collaboration in education, research and community service.
The universities intend to draw up implementation agreements. They will also explore undergraduate scholarships for Myanmar students and cultural exchange programs.
"These outcomes create opportunities for Myanmar's younger generation to develop their skills while building closer ties with the Indonesian people," the embassy said.
Expo agreements and bilateral trade
Held October 30-31 at the Novotel Yangon Max, Indonesia Expo 2026 carried the theme "Bridging Partnerships, Building Prosperity". The Indonesian Embassy in Yangon organized the event with support from Indonesia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
The embassy reported 77 participants. Two business forums addressed the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in energy, industry and retail, and the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the creative economy. The embassy also said four energy-sector MoUs were signed on October 30.
Across the two-day event, the embassy recorded six cooperation agreements and 20 business meetings, with an estimated transaction value exceeding $270,150.
Indonesia's Ministry of Trade put trade between the two countries at $958.9 million, or about Rp17.38 trillion, in 2025. For January-August 2026, it reported $687.1 million, or about Rp12.45 trillion. Using a different reporting period, the embassy cited approximately $1.14 billion in bilateral trade for fiscal year 2025-2026.
The embassy said it would continue working with the parties involved to turn the expo agreements into concrete programs benefiting both countries.