An Australian Embassy media release in its official website on Friday said the country`s Charge d`Affaires to Indonesia Paul Robilliard congratulated the students on Thursday.
"As neighbors 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 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, 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 organizations 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).
(Uu.O001/H-NG)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
