The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), through the Data Science Center, conducted an academic visit to the Department of Econometrics & Business Statistics, School of Business, Monash University Malaysia, in Bandar Sunway, Malaysia, on Friday, October 10, 2025. The visit aimed to explore potential research collaborations in the fields of data science, business statistics, and econometrics.
This initiative is part of FMIPA UI’s efforts to expand its international collaboration network while strengthening the institution’s position in developing cross-disciplinary research with broad impacts in both academic and social domains.
The meeting served as an open discussion forum between the FMIPA UI delegation and the team from Monash University Malaysia. One of the main discussion points was the potential for collaboration in early detection research of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using a deep learning approach.
In the initial discussion, both parties talked about plans for data collection and analysis, including technical support from the Monash team in statistical data processing and predictive model development. FMIPA UI also expressed its readiness to handle the ethical clearance process should the collaboration proceed.
Representing FMIPA UI were Prof. Dr. Dra. Titin Siswantining, DEA (Statistics), Dr. Retno Lestari, M.Si (Biology), Devvi Sarwinda, S.Si., M.Kom. (Mathematics), along with several staff members from the Data Science Center. Meanwhile, from Monash University Malaysia, attendees included Ts. Dr. Mogana Darshini Ganggayah as the host, Prof. Erniel Bayhon Barrios as Head of the Department, Dr. Lee How Chinh, and Dr. Nazirul Hazim A. Khalim.
As a follow-up, both institutions agreed to formalize this collaboration plan through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The draft MoU is scheduled to be prepared by Monash in the near future.
Prof. Titin Siswantining welcomed the meeting positively as a strategic first step. “The discussion was very open and full of collaborative spirit. There are many potential ideas that can be developed into real research projects, including scientific publications that will strengthen FMIPA UI’s position at the global level,” she said.
Prof. Erniel Bayhon Barrios expressed a similar sentiment, sharing his enthusiasm for the potential collaboration. “The ideas from the FMIPA UI team are very much aligned with our research focus. We hope this initiative can grow into other interdisciplinary projects, not limited to autism-related studies,” he said.
This collaboration is expected to serve as a strong foundation for the development of joint research that is sustainable and relevant to the needs of the times.
