Indonesians Receive Australian Research and Professional Development Scholarships

The Australian Government has awarded scholarships to seventeen high achieving Indonesians to continue their study or research program in Australia and eight Australians to conduct research in Indonesia under the 2011 Endeavour Awards program.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, will honour the scholarship recipients in an awards ceremony in Jakarta on 2 February and launch the “Endeavours of Excellence – 60 years of scholarship in South and South East Asia” publication.

“Australia is very proud of these high achieving Endeavour Award recipients who we believe will continue to strengthen the professional and personal linkages between Australia and Indonesia,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

The Endeavour Awards is part of the Australia Awards initiative, an international scholarship scheme that supports students, researchers and professionals to study in Australia and for Australians to study, research and to undertake professional development overseas.

Mr Rachmad Hidayat, a recipient of the 2011 Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award and currently a senior lecturer at the Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga, said an overseas academic experience is very important in broadening the viewpoint and attitude in critical thinking and analysis.

The “Endeavour of Excellence” publication celebrates the education ties between Australia and its regional neighbours featuring the achievements of Australian alumni from South and South-East Asia over a period of 60 years.

“The book highlights the importance of education in strengthening the people-to-people links, through intellectual exchange, cultural understanding and enduring friendships,” added Ambassador Moriarty.

A number of prominent Indonesians are profiled in the publication including Dr Ir Hartarto Sastrosoenarto AO, who served under three Indonesian Presidents from 1983 to 1999; Mr Abdullah Alamudi, a leading voice in Indonesia’s fight for freedom of the press; and Ms Mira Lesmana, a celebrated and well-known member of the arts industry.

For more information on the Endeavour Awards visit www.australiaawards.gov.au

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