In January-February 2019, ACICIS Study Indonesia was delighted to host 38 students in Jakarta to take part in its Business Professional Practicum (BPP) program. The students came from nine ACICIS member universities: The University of Western Australia, Monash University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Tasmania, Murdoch University, Curtin University, The University of Adelaide, The University of Queensland and The University of Melbourne. 31 of the students received a $3,000 New Colombo Plan mobility grant to assist them during the program.
Upon their arrival in Jakarta, the BPP students undertook two weeks of Indonesian language study at Atma Jaya University, accompanied by a series of business seminars presented by professionals with intimate knowledge of business and economic issues in Indonesia. The seminars covered a number of topics related to the business and economic sectors in Indonesia, including the Indonesian economy in the digital era, banking and finance, corporate strategy, strategic communication, HR, trade, and investment.
During the two-week academic program, BPP students also visited Bogasari and GO-JEK Headquarters in Jakarta. Bogasari is the largest integrated flour miller in Indonesia, producing a variety of wheat flour marketed under prominent brand names. It is also the largest pasta producer in South East Asia, marketed under the La Fonte brand. The visit began with presentations outlining the company’s profile and the production processes for wheat flour and pasta delivered by Mr Arry Dwinanto and Mr Agustiono Bhakti, followed by tours of the wheat flour section and pasta factory. The visit provided students with an understanding of the importance of the production processes, business strategy, and operations of a company producing some of Indonesia’s primary goods, and its role in the national economy.
The BPP participants also had an opportunity to visit the headquarters of GO-JEK, one of Indonesia’s ‘Unicorn’ companies. GO-JEK has evolved to provide on-demand transport and lifestyle services and now operates in over 50 cities across Southeast Asia. During the visit, the students were introduced to GO-JEK’s company profile and work culture via an office tour and sharing session, with discussions revolving around the company’s ‘GO-PAY’ payment system. Led by Mr Richard Darsono, the students discussed the history of GO-JEK & GO-PAY, along with GO-PAY’s current operations, future plans and economic impact.
After the two-week academic program, students undertook four-week placements at a range of host organisations in Jakarta, including Ernst & Young, Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Kiroyan Partners, Hill & Associates, Bank Syariah Mandiri, Bank Danamon, Bank Commonwealth, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), Government of Western Australia (GoWA), Pacific Place, Jack’s Labs, Selaras Daya Utama, Australian Mining Chamber, Merck, Auditsi Perdana, Corpus Prima Mandiri, Okusi Associates, Linfox Logistics, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM), Holcim, Jababeka and VPC Asia Pacific. The 23 host organisations operate across a range of sectors, including banking, finance, mining and resources, logistics and supply management, government to government trade and investment promotions, research, HR consultancy, property development, IT and social media, and many more.
We would like to extend our congratulations to all students who participated in the BPP program this year for their incredible work in undertaking a challenging and exciting opportunity to gain professional experience in Indonesia’s growing economics sector. We wish students all the best for the future!
