In the past few weeks, ACICIS Consortium Director Professor David T Hill AM returned to Indonesia to visit the growing “Keluarga ACICIS” team, and to meet with ACICIS partner universities.
Professor Hill first arrived in Yogyakarta. A lot has changed since ACICIS started in 1995; with exciting new faces joining the organisation which is now entering an exciting period of growth and transformation. Professor Hill spent a couple of days meeting with ACICIS staff, sharing ideas and proposals on how ACICIS can continue to grow. Professor Hill also hosted dinner at the Resident Director house where he met with ACICIS Semester 42 students who are currently studying on the Flexible Language Immersion Program (FLIP) and the Development Studies Immersion Program (DSIP) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Indonesian Business, Law and Society (IBLS) program at Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII).
Professor Hill paid visits to both universities and acknowledged the very strong partnerships ACICIS has with UGM and UII for many years. At UII, Professor Hill attended the public lecture from the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Mr Paul Grigson on 25 February 2016 and discussed the vital role ACICIS plays in facilitating New Colombo Plan opportunities to students. Following this, Professor Hill with ACICIS Deputy Resident Director, Dr Adrian Budiman, and Yogyakarta Program Coordinator, Mr Dimas Adiputra, headed to UGM to meet with the Head of Office of International Affairs Dr Andi Arsana and the Head of Indonesian Language and Culture Learning Service (INCULS) Dr Supriyadi.
After visiting Yogyakarta, Professor Hill departed for Bogor to meet with various faculty staff from Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) to discuss the new ACICIS Agriculture Semester Program (ASP) which is currently in development. Professor Hill met with Dr Edy Hartulistiyoso and Dr Eko Hari Purnomo from Bogor Agricultural University to discuss this new program and preparations for welcoming an inaugural semester of students in Semester 2 2016.
The Agriculture Semester Program is a clear demonstration of ACICIS’ commitment to offering a diverse range of programs and academic opportunities to Australian students. At Bogor Agricultural University students will be able to study in a range of disciplines, from agribusiness to forestry, and undertake a professional placement at an Indonesian host organisation. ACICIS is delighted to be working with Bogor Agricultural University, internationally renowned in the fields of agriculture and life sciences.
The ASP is being developed with the support of the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan. ACICIS has received over $400,000 to support up to 60 students to undertake the program in 2016-2019. Three ACICIS-member universities – Curtin University, The University of Western Australian, and the University of Tasmania, have indicated their interest in sending students on the 2016 pilot program.
Finally, Professor Hill travelled to Bandung to visit Parahyangan University (UNPAR). While in Bandung, he met with the ACICIS Semester 42 students who are currently studying at UNPAR on the International Relations Program (IRP) and West Java Field Study Program (WJFS). He also met with the Rector Dr Mangadar Situmorang, and the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, International Office Staff, and Head of International Relations Department at UNPAR. Professor Hill discussed with the faculty staff the new opportunities afforded to students through the 2016 expansion of the International Relations Program, including professional placement opportunities at leading host organisations in Bandung.
