Indonesia, Saudi Arabia Expand Nursing Training Partnership
JAKARTA- Indonesia’s National Nurses Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties to strengthen professional training, accreditation and workforce development for Indonesian nurses, as both sides seek to expand opportunities for healthcare professionals working in the Kingdom.
The agreement, signed on Sunday, brings together the Indonesian National Nurses Association, known as PPNI, and Saudi Arabia’s national healthcare regulatory authority to develop joint training programs, support official accreditation and enhance the professional competence of Indonesian nurses preparing to work in Saudi Arabia.
PPNI is Indonesia’s sole official professional organization for nurses and represents more than 859,000 members nationwide. Its Saudi Arabia chapter includes more than 1,100 registered Indonesian nurses working across the Kingdom.
According to Ade Koswara, head of PPNI’s Saudi Arabia chapter, the agreement is primarily aimed at strengthening the capabilities of Indonesian healthcare professionals through education and professional development initiatives aligned with Saudi regulatory requirements.
Koswara said the organizations will establish a bridging program for Indonesian nurses already employed in Saudi Arabia. The initiative will provide training and educational sessions designed to help participants prepare for Saudi board examinations required under the Kingdom’s professional licensing framework.
He said the agreement would also benefit nurses still based in Indonesia by helping them acquire the knowledge and skills needed before seeking employment in Saudi Arabia, enabling them to meet the Kingdom’s professional standards more effectively.
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties serves as the Kingdom’s national regulatory authority for healthcare professionals. The commission is responsible for licensing and certifying healthcare workers and oversees a range of education and professional development programs across the medical sector.
Beyond training and accreditation, the memorandum creates opportunities for PPNI to establish a Prometric testing center that would administer computer-based licensing and certification examinations for nurses. The agreement also envisions the development of a training institute accredited by Saudi authorities to support future professional education.
The partnership reflects broader efforts to improve the qualifications and professional readiness of Indonesian healthcare workers seeking employment abroad. Strengthening accreditation pathways and standardized training is expected to facilitate greater alignment between Indonesia’s nursing workforce and Saudi Arabia’s regulatory and professional requirements.
The initiative is also consistent with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, which includes measures to enhance workforce quality and professional competence across key sectors, including healthcare.
Saudi Arabia remains one of the leading destinations for Indonesian migrant workers. According to Indonesian government data, the Kingdom ranked as the sixth-largest destination for Indonesian overseas workers in 2025, underscoring the importance of bilateral cooperation in labor mobility and professional development.
The agreement represents another step in expanding institutional cooperation between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in the healthcare sector, with both sides seeking to strengthen training standards and create clearer pathways for Indonesian nurses pursuing careers in the Kingdom.
