At the beginning of 2018, ACICIS successfully piloted the Law Professional Practicum (LPP). ACICIS welcomed 46 students, the largest cohort of practicum students, to Jakarta from fourteen ACICIS member universities, including Macquarie University, La Trobe University, Murdoch University, Australian National University, UNSW Australia, and Queensland University of Technology. 36 students completed the LPP with the assistance of a $3,000 New Colombo Plan mobility grant.
Before commencing their placements, LPP students undertook two weeks of academic program hosted by Atma Jaya Catholic University, which consisted of language classes and a series of law related seminars. The speakers, ranging from high profile government officials, academics, and practitioners, gave students a glimpse of the complicated legal system in Indonesia as preparation for their placement. The seminars also highlighted significant legal issues and ongoing case studies in Indonesia, relevant to areas of future law reform and research collaboration between Australia and Indonesia.
For its pilot year, LPP students visited the Constitutional Court where they met with Pan Mohamad Faiz, a researcher for the Constitutional Court. The visit started with a short seminar from Mr Faiz on the history and the importance of an independent Constitutional Court in Indonesia. The visit continued with an exclusive tour of the Constitutional Court’s private museum and a screening on the history of Indonesia’s legal system.
For the second field trip, LPP students went to the colourful Kampung Penas in east of Jakarta. The group was hosted by the Head of District and some representatives from one of LPP’s host organisations, FAKTA, an organisation that work closely with small communities throughout Jakarta. The field trip began with a brief explanation on the history of Kampung Penas and the transformation process to a cigarette free community. The visit to Kampung Penas was an example to the students of a community in Indonesia creating its own law.
After the two weeks of the academic program, LPP students then started their four week placements at their assigned host organisations in Jakarta and Bali. With 31 host organisations ranging from legal aid institutes, international NGOs, research centres and law firms, students had the chance to witness first hand Indonesian legal fraternity and court processes. Among others, students were placed at HHP Law Firm, Asia Justice and Rights, LBH Jakarta, Lokataru, Hukumonline, and other local and international NGOs and law firms. The students were guided by mentors experienced in their field and ACICIS’ Academic Program Officers Dr Petra Mahy and Associate Professor Selvie Sinaga throughout their placement.
We would like to congratulate all 46 students on their incredible work during their participation in ACICIS’ Law Professional Practicum. We wish all students the best for the future and hope to see them all back in Indonesia very soon!
