In 2007--60 years after chemistry was established as an academic subject in independent Indonesia--representatives from the country's 57 chemistry departments (in public institutions) gathered to discuss issues of mutual interest. The author served as a Fulbright senior specialist during and after the conference; he describes the current state of the infrastructures in this developing country for chemistry research and education, as well as the design of undergraduate and graduate chemistry curricula. Suggestions for how U.S. chemists might participate with Indonesian universities are provided. (Contains 4 figures and 3 tables.)