Journalism and Development Studies Students Undertake Internships in Indonesia

Australia’s Chargé d’Affaires to Indonesia Paul Robilliard yesterday congratulated a group of students from Australian universities participating in separate Journalism Professional Practicum and Development Studies Professional Practicum programs in Jakarta, Makassar and Aceh over the next six weeks.

“As neighbours and partners, it is important for Australia and Indonesia to know each other well, particularly at a people-to-people level,” Robilliard said during the official opening of the program at Atma Jaya Catholic University.

“Programs like these provide an important role in nurturing a new generation who are actively engaged with and knowledgeable about Indonesia, and provide an opportunity to strengthen professional linkages across the media and development sectors,” Robilliard said.

Forty-four students from Australian universities are undertaking the program organised by the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS). The program incorporates a two-week language and seminar program at Atma Jaya Catholic University followed by a four-week industry placement, and includes students from Australia, UK, Singapore, Spain, Malaysia, USA, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Both programs were designed to open up in-country study options in Indonesia to non-Indonesian/Asian Studies students. The journalism program is now into its 6th year, while the development studies practicum is in its third year.

Students will be placed with a range of local and international media and development organisations including The Jakarta Globe, The Jakarta Post, Globe Asia Business Monthly Magazine, Agence France-Presse, ABC, CARE Indonesia, World Wildlife Fund, Cardno Emerging Markets, Oxfam, The Nature Conservancy and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

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