On 1 June 2026, IME welcomed a delegation from Indonesia in collaboration with RWTH University Aachen. The visit was organized within the framework of the Circular Economy Doctoral Scholarship Program, for which IME serves as the coordinating institution. The delegation included the Indonesian Ambassador to Germany, Abdul Kadir Jailani, Rector of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Ir. Selo.

The scholarship program builds upon the BMBF-funded project GetIn-CICERO (German-Indonesian Geo-Campus in Indonesia for Competence in Education and Research for Organizations). This initiative has established a jointly operated geo-campus and laboratory in Indonesia in partnership with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), with a strong emphasis on advancing sustainable development through education and research.

As part of the visit, distinguished representatives from UGM, including Vice Dean Dr. Ali Awaludi and Prof. Indra Perdana, visited IME labs and engaged in discussions with IME researchers. The exchange highlighted the long-standing collaboration between IME and UGM and explored future opportunities for joint research, particularly in the fields of battery recycling and sustainable metallurgy.

The visit further strengthened the academic and research ties between Germany and Indonesia, reinforcing a shared commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable resource management.