The Australian Consortium of ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), in partnership with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, held a reception marking the launch of The Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan initiative, at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta on Friday 17 October 2014.
The Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno M.SocSc., representatives from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and inaugural Yudhoyono Fellowship recipient, Ms Emma Roberts, spoke at the launch.
The New Colombo Plan aims to increase Australian students’ knowledge of the Southeast Asian region by providing $100 million over 5 years in scholarships for semester and short course study options, internships and mentorships in the four pilot countries of Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. ACICIS currently hosts three New Colombo Plan scholars, Ms Emma Roberts from the Australian National University, Ms Kara Menzies from La Trobe University, and Ms Tess Harwood from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The event emphasised the close educational ties between Australia and Indonesia. Education is a focus of both countries in the bilateral relationship. As incoming Indonesian President, Joko Widodo argued in a presidential campaign debate regarding the bilateral relationship, ‘Diplomacy through education and culture should be prioritised.’
For more details on this event, see the following online articles: