He said, the Australian Government continues to work to make Australians familiar with Indonesian culture, as well as with the Indonesian community.
"We continuously strive to bring Australians to learn about Indonesians culture, including in West Nusa Tenggara, in order to know and understand the culture. Also, we invite Indonesians to see Australian culture," Prof.Tim said on the sidelines of an AII delegation`s visit to SMA Negri 5 Mataram here Thursday.
The Institute was founded in 1989 with the goal of becoming a media to gather, exchange, disseminate information , advice and resources to support, strengthen and develop relations between Australian and Indonesian society.
According to institutional aspect, AII serves to make recommendations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on a thorough understanding of Australian society experiences about Indonesia.
The recommendations related to support the study of Indonesian language and culture in Australia as well as English and Australian culture in Indonesia, increasing commercial relations between Australia and Indonesia and also to identify a possible cooperation in the fields of science and technology.
In addition, AII also provides exchange facilities in the media, sponsoring activities in the field of cultural exchanges, sports and training, support for the Australian study programs in Indonesia and Indonesian study programs in Australia.
Also, strengthening inter-institutional relations between universities, museums, libraries, vocational high schools, research institutes, professional organizations and eligible non-governmental organizations, providing facilities for translation of Australia and Indonesia text books, as well as organizing activities and exchange visits between communities and community groups.
The institute`s mission in promoting relationship between Australia and Indonesia is done by increasing the depth of mutual understanding. Donating widely and for a long time to the relationship and mutual exchange between Australian and Indonesian society.
Prof.Lindsey said, Australia is a country that also has a Muslim population, which now has reached half a million more.
By involving the cooperation ties between communities of both countries, is expected to be intertwined lives of harmony and mutual understanding of each culture.
"The Australians and Indonesians could see with their own eyes, the different cultures in both countries. Of course it would be better in maintaining the cultural and educational cooperation," he said.
Prof.Lindsey admitted, this year AII still program the cooperation in culture, education and other areas of society in the West Nusa Tenggara and other areas in Indonesia.
All financing programs of cooperation is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.
"The fund is sourced from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and AusAID support, but the fund is managed by private sectors who have been given training. Approximately two million dollar Australia," he noted.
Prof.Lindsey added, this year Australia also provided a package of scholarships to 89 West Nusa Tenggara students through Australian Development Scholarship for master program in Australia.
"So, the lecturers and teachers in Indonesia, including from the province who want to pursue a postgraduate degree in Australia can be facilitated in the `Bridge` program or Australia-Indonesia partnership schools," he said.(*)
KR-LW/F001
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
