In January-February 2021, ACICIS Study Indonesia was delighted to host 15 students on the very first ACICS Virtual Business Professional Practicum (BPP). The students came from eight ACICIS member universities: Curtin University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Murdoch University, RMIT University, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, University of New South Wales, and 10 of the students received a $3,000 New Colombo Plan mobility grant to assist them during the program.
The BPP students undertook four 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, the omnibus law and business, the impact of COVID-19 to the Indonesia’s business, corporate social responsibility, recruitment & HR, and doing business in Indonesia.
During the academic program, BPP students also virtually visited Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and Bukalapak headquarter in Jakarta. IDX is a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) facilitating capital markets development in Indonesia. Welcomed and led by the Market Development Unit team from IDX, BPP students also learned about the implementation of the commitments of the Good Corporate Governance as part of IDX’s mission to create the competitive edge to attract investors and listed companies through the empowerment of stock exchange members and participants, the creation of value-added, and cost efficiency. Visiting the IDX, students obtained knowledge that in the 10 years, IDX outperforms other stock exchanges in the region.
The BPP participants also had an opportunity to discuss with Bukalapak, one of the Indonesian e-commerce marketplaces that became just the fourth Indonesian start-up to be valued above US$1 billion, and received unicorn status. Students were welcomed by Mr Dhanika Arif Martifauzi as the Employer Branding of Bukalapak, and they had the chance to hear about the amazing Bukalapak story in helping small medium enterprise (SME) to grow with their digital platforms.
BPP students also undertook five-week placements at a range of host organisations in Jakarta, including Bhuwana Ubud Hotel, Damn! I Love Indonesia, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Fischer and Partners Indonesia, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), Okusi Associates, PT Aseli Dagadu Djokdja, PT Solusi Media Ravel Teknologi, Pusat Riset Ilmu Kepolisian dan Kajian Terorisme (PRIK-KT), and Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI). The 10 host organisations operate across a range of sectors, including business consultant, business retail and creative, government to government trade and investment promotions, research, HR consultancy, IT and social media, and many more.
We would like to extend our congratulations to all students who participated in the Virtual BPP program this year for their incredible work in undertaking a challenging and exciting opportunity to gain professional experience in Indonesia’s growing business and economics sector. We wish students all the best for the future!
