The Year of Living Amicably delivers a new alliance with Indonesia
In 2023 the Faculty of Law embarked on an ambitious initiative: to develop an alliance with the leading law schools of our northern neighbour, Indonesia. The Monash University Law Indonesia Alliance or MULIA is a partnership between Monash Law and the faculties of law at seven of Indonesia's leading universities.
Flowing from the fact that Monash University became the first foreign university to have a presence in Indonesia, with the establishment of Monash University’s Indonesia campus in 2021, the Faculty of Law decided to seek out amicable ties with the top law schools of the archipelagic State to the north.
With the assistance of the Indonesian Ambassador, His Excellency Dr Siswo Pramono, and the support of the President of Monash University Indonesia, Professor Andrew McIntyre, Executive Dean Bryan Horrigan established the groundwork. First he sent an advance delegation consisting of Professor Jean Allain (Associate Dean, International) and Associate Professor Nadir Hosen (Deputy Associate Dean, International) to meet prospective members in late 2022. Then the Dean himself hosted the prospective MULIA members at a meeting at Monash University Indonesia’s campus.
In May 2023, taking advantage of a Legal Networking Breakfast held at the Residence of the Indonesian Ambassador in Canberra, Dean Horrigan took the opportunity to host a dinner the night before for prospective members of MULIA, which cleared the way for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the Alliance in June 2023.
Dean Horrigan and Dean Edmon of Univesitas Indonesia in discussion with His Excellency Dr Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia.
The Indonesian Ambassador hosted a lunch for the Monash Law delegation.
The development of partnerships with Indonesian law schools was the International Portfolio’s number one priority for the year and resulted in the successful establishment of MULIA.
In addition to being the acronym of the Alliance, 'MULIA', in the Indonesian language means 'noble', 'glorious' or 'honourable'. This reflects the nature of the partnership which has been established between Monash Law and the law faculties of seven leading Indonesian universities:
- University of Airlangga,
- University of Gadjah Mada,
- University Hasanuddin,
- University of Indonesia,
- University of Padjadjaran,
- University of Pelita Harapan, and
- Sam Ratulangi University.
The objective of MULIA is to “promote and develop collaborations between The Parties on the basis of equality and mutual benefit”. To that end, we look to develop and solidify closer collaboration both at an institutional and personal level; use MULIA as a platform for identifying mutual benefits in developing our international strategic goals; and to afford each faculty the opportunity to sharpen its international profile.
Executive Dean Horrigan signing the MULIA MoU.
Signing Ceremony with Universitas Airlangga, a MULIA partner.
Signing Ceremony with Universitas Gadjah Mada, a MULIA partner.
The MoU sets a framework for cooperation over the next 5 years and has already borne fruit by means of an application for New Colombo Plan funding to run a joint clinic between Monash and University of Airlangga; the holding of a webinar for all MULIA members on developing legal clinics; and the agreement to co-host a legal conference on technology & the law with University of Pelita Harapan in 2024.
On 11 December, 2023, the first Annual MULIA meeting will be held at the Monash University Indonesia campus, where the Dean of the Faculty of Law will hosted his seven Indonesian counterparts. At that meeting, planning will take place for 2024 with a view to holding an academic workshop and Australia/Indonesia legal updates conference; developing cooperation in the clinical and experiential learning space, and establishing a student mobility agreement.
Flowing from these activities is the possibility to develop joint research; to bring to the attention of leaders of the legal profession the current legal developments of note in each country; and to take on global challenges in the international clinical space.
In strategic terms, MULIA provides the Faculty of Law the opportunity to develop its international offerings with partners who are neighbours and close collaborators. It provides a testing ground for our international activities to best gain maximum impact from the International Portfolio.
The development of this exciting initiative has been and will be steered by Professor Allain and Dr Hosen.
Students Meet Minister of Religious Affairs – Malaysia
Another highlight for the International Portfolio in 2023 was the opportunity for the students on our Malaysia Teaching Program to be hosted by the Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs during their visit to a Sharia (Islamic) Court in July 2023. The visit was memorialised by means of the following slick video.
The Honourable Dr Mokhtar had previously been the Chief Justice of the Sharia Court during the Student visit of 2022 and, despite having become Minister, took time out of his busy schedule to meet with the Monash Law students.
Malaysia Teaching Program.
Meeting with the Malaysia Minister of Religious Affairs.