According to an Australian Embassy media release, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty congratulated the students here on Tuesday.
"As neighbors and partners, it is important for Australia and Indonesia to know each other well," Moriarty said during the official opening of the program at Atma Jaya University.
"Programs like these help to increase the people-to-people links in the region, enhance understanding of contemporary issues in Indonesia, and provide an opportunity to strengthen professional linkages across the media and development sectors," Moriarty added.
Thirty-six students from Australian and New Zealand universities are undertaking the program organized 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, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.
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 5th year, while the development studies practicum ran a successful pilot program last year.
Students will be placed with a range of local and international media and development organizations including Tempo Weekly magazine, Metro TV, Radio Republik Indonesia, The Jakarta Globe, The Jakarta Post, Globe Asia Business Monthly Magazine, Agence France-Presse, ThomsonReuters, CARE Indonesia, World Wildlife Fund, Wahid Institute, Center for International Forestry (CIFOR), International Labor Organization (ILO) and Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).
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Editor: Bambang
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