Strengthening regional governance: Monash University, Indonesia hosts MoHA National Leadership Training
Group photo of participants from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA)
BSD City, Tangerang – Monash University, Indonesia has been entrusted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to deliver a specialised leadership workshop as part of the National Leadership Training - Echelon II Batch I. This collaboration, which took place from April 28 to April 29, 2026, brought together high-level Indonesian officials to engage with world-class academic insights on two of the most pressing challenges for modern governance: Urban Design and Disaster Management.
Empowering Echelon II Leaders for regional impact
The workshop is a critical component of a broader four-month training program conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, running from April to July 2026. By hosting 40 Echelon II participants, alongside mentors and committees, Monash University, Indonesia aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical policy application.
The primary objective is to equip these leaders with the tools necessary to translate complex learning outcomes into improved policies and regulatory frameworks within their respective regions.
Participants engaged in the training session
Day 1: advanced strategies in disaster management
The first day of the workshop focused on the multi-faceted nature of disaster response. Following opening remarks by Dr. Yessy Arnold Perangin Angin, Vice President of Monash University, Indonesia, and a keynote speech by Dr. Sugeng Hariyono, Head of Human Resource Agency, the sessions dived into technical expertise.
Critical Communication and AI Integration
Disaster resilience was addressed through the lens of modern technology and strategic outreach:
- Public communication planning: Associate Professor Ika Idris led a session on crafting effective communication plans for disaster scenarios.
- Leveraging AI: Associate Professor Derry Wijaya explored the integration of Artificial Intelligence within disaster communication systems to enhance efficiency and reach.
Financial Resilience
To ensure these strategies are sustainable, Assistant Professor Aichiro Suryo Prabowo conducted a session dedicated to Budgeting for Disaster Response and Mitigation, providing participants with a framework for fiscal preparedness.
Day 2: Future-proofing cities through urban design
The second day shifted the focus toward the long-term structural health of Indonesia's growing municipalities.
Urban planning excellence
Professor Stephen Cairns spearheaded the session on Urban Design and Urban Planning. This module was designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of how intentional design can mitigate urban challenges and improve the quality of life for citizens across the archipelago.
The workshop concluded with intensive group discussions and report drafting sessions, allowing the Echelon II officials to synthesize the academic insights into actionable strategies for the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Through this partnership, Monash University, Indonesia continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering leadership excellence and supporting the Indonesian government’s vision for a more resilient and well-designed future.