Australian and Indonesian Schools Build BRIDGE of Learning and Friendship

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer yesterday welcomed the signing of a Record of Understanding (RoU) between the Asia Education Foundation and the National Education Department of East Java on a new education initiative which builds links between Australian and Indonesian schools through visits and internet learning.

Teachers from Indonesia will travel to Australia in 2009 to build partnerships with Australian schools, improve their English language skills and receive training on incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their teaching.

“I am confident teachers will make the most of this unique opportunity to develop their skills and exchange knowledge and experiences with their Australian counterparts,” Ambassador Farmer said.

The BRIDGE Project - Building Relations through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement - was announced by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, during his visit to Indonesia in August this year.

During the course of this three-year project, ninety teachers from forty Indonesian schools will visit Australia and ongoing relationships will be forged between schools in both countries.

Initiated by the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII), the project is funded by The Myer Foundation and the Australian Government, through AusAID. The Asia Education Foundation is delivering the program with Australian Education International.

“The Institute is proud this initiative will strengthen intercultural and educational understanding between Australia and Indonesia, as the core mission of the Institute over the last two decades has been fostering friendship and understanding between our two nations,” said Professor Tim Lindsey, Chairman of the AII Board.

Five leading schools from East Java are involved in the project - SMAN 15 Surabaya, SMAN 5 Surabaya, SMA Muhammadiyah 2 Surabaya, SMA Al Hikmah Surabaya and SMAN 1 Sidoarjo.

Media inquiries:
Fiona Hoggart, First Secretary (Cultural) mob. 0811 936 302