Inaugural Alumni Conference Develops the Future and Builds on the Past

Nearly 150 of Indonesia’s leading thinkers will come together tomorrow for a first-of-its-kind conference that will strengthen links between Indonesians who have studied in Australia on an Australian scholarship.

The theme of the conference, Developing the Future, Building on the Past, will focus on key development issues faced by Indonesia, such as growth, democratisation, human capital development and environmental challenges.

The conference brings together around 150 alumni from the Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) program and its predecessors.

It will showcase achievements of ADS alumni – many of whom have achieved positions of prominence in government, universities and the private sector.

Speakers include Deputy Minister of Societal Dynamics, State Ministry of Research and Technology, Professor Carunia MH Firdausyi, Mr Mohammad Sobary, well-known columnist and Executive Director of the Kemitraan Association, and the current Mayor of Banda Aceh, Mr Mawardi Nurdin.

Dr Boediono, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Dr Kusmayanto Kadiman, State Minister for Research and Technology, are also scheduled to speak.

The conference will be opened by Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, who said it would provide a unique opportunity for alumni to meet each other, and to expand their Indonesian and international networks.

“It is also a wonderful opportunity for the Australian Government to engage with alumni from a wide range of sectors of interest to our relationship with Indonesia,” Farmer said.

“The theme of the conference – developing the future and building on the past – mirrors our already close relationship with Indonesia.”

ADS is a long-term bilateral scholarship program run by AusAID, Australia’s international development agency. ADS assists Indonesian students to expand their knowledge, skills and qualifications, in order to strengthen their capacity to contribute to development in Indonesia. Around 300 scholarships are awarded each year for Indonesians to study at Australian universities.

Australia has been providing scholarships to Indonesian students since the 1950s. There are now more than 10,000 alumni.

Further information:
Mia Salim (Media Liaison Officer, AusAID) 0812 107 0237