Antara News·Indonesia·Monday, November 2, 2026 at 02:46 PM UTC

Ministry expands internationalization of Indonesian language in Russia

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Hana Dewi K, Resinta Sulistiyandari

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is promoting Indonesian language internationalization in Russia through expanding the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program, academic partnerships, and the development of Indonesianist networks.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Atip Latipulhayat said the internationalization of the Indonesian language is not only focused on increasing the number of learners, but also expanding the function of Indonesian in various areas of global life.

"The internationalization of the Indonesian language is also an effort to improve the function, dignity, and usefulness of the Indonesian language in the global community," he remarked in a statement on Monday.

He said the congress themed 'Indonesian Language on the Global Stage: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future' held at Higher School of Economics University (HSE University) in Moscow on October 28, brought together around 140 students, academics, teachers, and Indonesianists to discuss the international development of the Indonesian language.

Atip then conveyed confidence in Russia as a potential partner in the development of the Indonesian language, particularly given the country's academic tradition in the study of language, literature, and culture.

According to him, this potential can be explored through student and academic exchanges, joint research, strengthening the BIPA program, and translating Indonesian literary works.

He said these efforts align with the 2025–2045 Roadmap for Internationalizing the Indonesian Language, which the government has developed to expand the use of Indonesian globally.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Language Internationalization Index (IPBI) increased from 51.44 in 2024 to 52.99 in 2025, while the government targets the index to reach 55.87 by 2029.

As of October 2026, Atip informed that the BIPA program had reached 62 countries through 520 institutions with more than 234,000 active learners.

In Russia, the BIPA class held by the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow was attended by 149 students.

He also noted that the recognition of Indonesian as one of the official languages of the UNESCO General Conference on November 20, 2023, provides an important foundation for raising the language's international profile.

"Indonesian is the identity of the Indonesian nation, but it is also a bridge of friendship for the international community," he pointed out.

On the same occasion, Indonesian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Jose Tavares, revealed that Indonesian language teaching at Moscow State University began in the late 1950s. Currently, Indonesian is also being studied at HSE University.

Despite its long-standing presence in Russia, Indonesian language education continues to face several challenges, including a shortage of teachers, limited teaching materials tailored to Russian speakers, and difficulties in ensuring the continuity of learning programs.

Jose hopes the congress will produce concrete recommendations to overcome various obstacles and expand the network of Indonesianists in Russia and Belarus.

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