On 14 April, the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne spoke at Flinders University on the transformational power of international education, highlighting the role of education in the relationship between Australia and Indonesia, particularly its ability to strengthen intercultural and interfaith understanding.

 

The speech was delivered during INDO-Fest, South Australia’s annual celebration of Indonesian culture. Other speakers included Prof Dr Pratikno, Rector of Gadjah Mada University and Flinders alumnus, and Prof Ronny Rachman Noor, Indonesian Education Attaché to Australia. 

 

Minister Pyne noted the ongoing information exchange and policy dialogue between the Australian and Indonesian education departments. Education has proved to be fundamental to the development of the partnership between Australia and Indonesia. Both countries share a commitment to education reform to improve quality and competitiveness and can gain from sharing experiences and challenges. He discussed the importance of having a flexible higher education system that is adaptable to changing needs and able to produce graduates who are well equipped for jobs in the new economy.

 

The Minister discussed the important role education plays in strengthening people to people links between the two countries, particularly when other aspects of the relationship may be strained. Minister Pyne highlighted the long-term benefits from education engagement. Many prominent Indonesian leaders, academics, researchers and business people studied in Australia, under the Colombo Plan and other scholarship programs.  The Minister expressed hope that more Australians will become alumni of Indonesian universities through mobility programmes such as the New Colombo Plan and the Australia Awards.

 

Australia is the most popular destination for Indonesian students with 63 000 Indonesians having studied here since 2002. The reciprocated education relationship was highlighted by the recent announcement by President Yudhoyono of the Indonesia Presidential Scholarship program. The Minister noted with pleasure that one quarter of these scholars will study in Australia.

 

The new Australia Indonesia Centre, based at Monash University, was also mentioned.  It will facilitate institutions and researchers from both countries to work together to address common challenges such as food security, health, energy and infrastructure. 

 

Responding to a question from The Australian, the Minister noted the need to attract more Australian students to study languages at senior secondary and university level and to encourage those students to become language teachers.