Sustainable Higher Education Research Alliances (SHERA) Program Performance Report Quarter 3 FY 2019 (April – June 2019)

The program, implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE), aims to foster linkages between Indonesian higher education institutions (HEI) and U.S-based universities, and across diverse Indonesian universities to enhance the research capacity of Indonesian HEIs in science, technology, and innovation (ST&I). The SHERA program established Centers for Collaborative Research (CCR) within top Indonesian universities, bringing together Indonesian and U.S. scholars to conduct world-class research within priority research areas. The program's achievements during this reporting period include the publication of 42 international journal articles and 120 international proceedings, totaling 153% of the program's total target. This significant increase in research output demonstrates the program's effectiveness in enhancing the research capacity of Indonesian HEIs. The CCRs played a crucial role in achieving these research outputs. The CCRs provided a platform for Indonesian and U.S. scholars to collaborate on research projects, share knowledge, and expertise. The CCRs also facilitated the development of research capacity among Indonesian HEIs, enabling them to conduct high-quality research and publish their findings in international journals. In addition to research outputs, the SHERA program also made significant progress in stakeholder engagement and partnership development. The program established partnerships with various stakeholders, including the Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (Kemristekdikti), and the private sector. These partnerships enabled the program to leverage resources, expertise, and networks to support the development of research capacity among Indonesian HEIs. The program also made progress in implementing its management information system (MIS) and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework. The MIS enabled the program to track progress, monitor research outputs, and evaluate the effectiveness of its interventions. The M&E framework provided a framework for assessing the program's impact and identifying areas for improvement. Despite these achievements, the program faced several challenges during this reporting period. The program encountered difficulties in managing its finances, particularly in relation to the incremental increase in funds. The program also faced challenges in implementing its operational and program capacity, which affected its ability to deliver its interventions. Looking ahead, the program anticipates several activities for the next quarter (July - September 2019). These activities include the implementation of the MEL and MIS, CCR monitoring, CCR direct mentoring, stakeholder engagement, and the HAKTEKNAS commemoration. The program is committed to continuing its efforts to enhance the research capacity of Indonesian HEIs and promote access to research and professional development opportunities for women. The SHERA program's achievements during this reporting period demonstrate its effectiveness in enhancing the research capacity of Indonesian HEIs and promoting access to research and professional development opportunities for women. The program's commitment to continuing its efforts will ensure that it achieves its objectives and makes a lasting impact on the research landscape in Indonesia.