Alumni chapter rebooted through batik

A specially designed batik from Solo is being unveiled today in Jakarta as part of a reboot of the Indonesian Chapter of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT)’s Alumni Association.

The QUT Alumni Indonesia Batik was designed by Ahmad Syarif, QUT Alumnus and owner of Batik Sapto Hadi in Solo, with motifs of kawung (sugar palm) representing hopes and nitik (making dots) symbolising wisdom.

Newly elected President of the Alumni Chapter, Mr Fajar Sulaeman Taman, said the Chapter’s own batik design would be presented to members at the launch.

Mr Sulaeman Taman is currently working as Section Chief for the Secretary General of Administration Affairs, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

Originally launched in 2000, the QUT Alumni Chapter has been reinvigorated by the university’s increasing engagement in Indonesia and the support of a growing group of enthusiastic mid-career Indonesian alumni.

Australian Deputy Head of Mission, Dr David Engel, said alumni of Australian universities in Indonesia help strengthen the bonds between our two nations.

“Many Indonesians with Australian education have a long lasting engagement with their Australian universities and have gone on to contribute in many sectors to the development of Indonesia,” said Dr Engel.

The Secretary General of Ikatan Alumni Australia Mr John Siregar and Executive Director of QUT International, Mr Ray Kelly, are also attending the event.

Mr Kelly said QUT had more than 500 alumni in Indonesia with 126 Indonesian students currently studying there.

“QUT’s Indonesian Alumni Chapter is really enthusiastic about networking, multiculturalism and excellent leadership, and is nurturing strong connections between members,” said Mr Kelly.

Media inquiries:
Ray Marcelo, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175
Josephine Ratna, QUT Country Manager, Indonesia, mob 081 132 7812