News from the University Of Tasmania, Australia
Media Release
Sunday, 4 September 2016
An agreement signed in Jakarta this weekend will see the University of Tasmania playing a key role in upskilling Indonesia’s nursing and midwifery academics.
Through a new joint Masters of Nursing program, Indonesian students will complete the two-year program at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the University of Tasmania. The first cohort is expected to arrive in Tasmania next year.
The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Gary O’Donovan signed the agreement yesterday afternoon on behalf of the University of Tasmania, along with Professor Dwikorita Karnawati, the Rector of UGM, and President Director Eko Prasetyo, of the Indonesia Endowment for Education - Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP).
Tasmanian Minister for State Growth Matthew Groom attended the signing, which was held at the Jakarta offices of the LPDP. The LPDP will provide Indonesian government funding for eligible students, with an initial cohort of approximately 20 students.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor David Sadler said education was playing a key role in strengthening the relationship between Tasmania and Indonesia.
“By 2030, Indonesia is expected to be among the top seven economies in the world – a large, close neighbour looking to Tasmania to meet some of its educational needs,” Professor Sadler said.
“To see the LPDP partner in this latest agreement, highlights the high regard Indonesia holds for the University of Tasmania.
“One of the challenges our neighbour faces is upskilling its labour force. To train new nurses and midwives, Indonesia needs to upskill an estimated six to seven thousand academics to Masters level. The University is pleased to play a role in meeting that challenge, and delighted to be deepening its relationship with UGM.”
Professor Sadler said the economic benefits to the State in growing the number of international students were significant.
The program will see students commence their Masters at UGM where they will study for six months before travelling to Tasmania for 12 months. The final six months of the two-year course will be completed in Indonesia.
Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a Masters degree from each university and will be eligible to continue on to a PhD program at the University of Tasmania.
The University of Tasmania is exploring further joint masters programs in fisheries, maritime, and economic geology with UGM, one of Indonesia’s best, most respected universities.
Information released by:
University of Tasmania, Communications and Media Office
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