Young Australians, Indonesians to forge friendships through Student Leadership Camp

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer farewelled today students from State Islamic University (UIN) campuses in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Riau who will be participating in an International Student Leadership Camp in Sydney.

Held from 7–14 December at the University of Western Sydney (UWS), the camp brings together 20 high-achieving young leaders from Indonesia with their fellow students from Sydney to explore leadership and inter-cultural understanding.

“This camp is a great opportunity for young people from Australia and Indonesia to build strong networks and discuss their common interests, all of which reinforces the very good relationship between our two nations,” Ambassador Farmer said.

UWS and UIN signed an academic cooperation agreement in late 2007 to strengthen inter-university ties, including creating a joint academic double degree program in accounting and business in which students will be able to study for one year in UIN Jakarta and two years in UWS Australia.

Ambassador Farmer also congratulated Arisman, Deputy Director International, UIN Jakarta, who won an Australian scholarship under the Endeavour Executive Award Program 2008 to work at UWS’ Bankstown campus for three months developing joint programs with UWS academics, including exploring future linkages with the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies.

The National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies established in 2007 by Australian Government to advance knowledge and understanding of Islam and showcase Australia’s strengths in the field of Islamic studies at three leading Australian universities- UWS, University of Melbourne and Griffith University.

“Muslim Australians are an extremely diverse group. There are currently some 340,000 Muslims in Australia, more than one third of whom were born in Australia, and they make vibrant contributions to the multicultural fabric of Australia society,” the Ambassador said.

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