The School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), has taken a significant step in expanding its international footprint after officially signing two memorandum of understanding with European institutions during a business trip held from 10 to 18 June 2026.
The agreements were signed during a business trip to Europe undertaken by SBM ITB Dean Prof. Dr. Aurik Gustomo and Head of the MBA Bandung Program Dr. Yuanita Handayati, who traveled to Brugg, Switzerland, and Heilbronn, Germany, to formalize the partnerships with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and Hochschule Heilbronn (HHN).
Expanding a Long-Standing Partnership with FHNW
SBM ITB and FHNW already have a long history together, started with the Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia (SICA), a competition the two schools run together that gives students the chance to come up with new business ideas and solutions. Through SICA, students from both schools team up to tackle real-world business challenges, sharpening their innovation and problem-solving skills while building cross-cultural connections along the way. What began as a friendly competition has grown into the foundation of a much deeper academic relationship.
Added to that the two schools have run a Double Degree (DD) program at the Master of Science in Management (MSM) level for years. With this latest agreement, the two institutions are now strengthening their collaboration by extending the Double Degree pathway to the MBA program as well, a move designed in part to support Pertamina’s in-house executive education needs. SBM ITB has flagged this expanded partnership as a priority to follow up on quickly, recognizing its strategic value for delivering globally recognized business education to Indonesian professionals.
Heilbronn University: Scholarship Opportunity for MSM Students
Equally noteworthy is the partnership with Heilbronn University, which includes a student exchange scheme. As part of this collaboration, Heilbronn is offering a scholarship for one student from SBM ITB’s Master of Science in Management (MSM) program, with the recipient set to depart this August. SBM ITB is also exploring further engagement with Heilbronn through visiting professorships and joint research collaboration.
A Vote of Confidence in SBM ITB
According to the delegation’s report, the warm reception from both partner universities reflects growing international confidence in SBM ITB’s academic standing, reinforcing its position as a credible and attractive strategic partner for business schools abroad. Both signed MoUs have since been documented and filed, with concrete program implementation now in progress.
These partnerships mark another milestone in SBM ITB’s broader strategy to internationalize its programs, expand exchange opportunities for students, and build long-term collaborative ties with top-tier institutions in Europe.
Written by Anti Novarianti
