Monash centre to strengthen Australia-Indonesia relationship
A new Australian Centre for Indonesia Studies will be based at Monash University.
The Federal Government has announced $15 million in funding over four years to set up a new Australian Centre for Indonesia Studies to drive research and business initiatives and to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
To be based at Monash University in Melbourne and with nodes at the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University and Australia’s peak scientific and research agency, CSIRO, the centre’s core priorities will be to:
- Engage Australians to update their perceptions of Indonesia and to build trust and understanding.
- Strengthen all aspects of the Australia-Indonesia relationship.
- Identify and work collaboratively with Indonesian institutions and companies on areas of shared challenge and mutual benefit.
The national centre is expected to deliver higher levels of collaboration between some of Australia’s and Indonesia’s sharpest minds. It is envisaged that an advisory board will include representatives of government and business from Australia and Indonesia.
The goal is to establish a similar, “twinned” network of major universities and research centres in Indonesia.
In announcing the centre after his formal talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Mr Abbott said: “Indonesia is in many respects Australia's most important overall relationship. Strong relationships are based on mutual knowledge and understanding, which is why this centre will make such an important contribution. The centre's mandate will be to strengthen and deepen Australia-Indonesia business, cultural, educational, research and community links. The centre will also promote greater understanding of contemporary Indonesia and its growing importance to Australia. The Commonwealth will provide $15million over four years starting in 2013-14, funded from the Education portfolio and matched by partner institutions and private sector funding.”
Research themes are expected to include language and culture, food security, infrastructure, education, resources and health.
The idea for the centre came out of months-long research and relationship-building by a team from Monash University led by Professor Paul Ramadge, Monash's Executive Director of Global Initiatives and a Vice-Chancellor's Professorial Fellow. Professor Ramadge is a former Editor-in-Chief of The Age.
Throughout 2013, Monash has been engaging influential Indonesian leaders from government, business, academia and civil society in formal and informal discussions about the biggest nation-building challenges in Indonesia. Similar talks have been held with Australian companies operating in Indonesia.
Monash received strong support from the Victorian Government to map out the structure and core objectives of the centre.
The Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, Professor Ed Byrne, said: “We look forward to working collaboratively with research and business partners in both nations to make this centre truly world class. Monash has a long and proud history of engaging with Indonesia. The Herb Feith Foundation celebrates the work of one of the university’s early scholars. More recently, our science faculty has developed breakthrough research to try to eliminate dengue fever. And the Monash Sustainability Institute is leading the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. What is really exciting is that this new national centre will foster high-value linkages between government, business and academia. This is the best way to develop big, high-impact innovations. It is also the best way to build trust and create an environment for genuine partnerships. Monash has achieved extraordinary success in fostering such relationships in India, China and elsewhere. We are passionate about working with Indonesia to achieve similar outcomes.”
The Chief Executive of CSIRO, Dr Megan Clark, said: “CSIRO is delighted to join Monash and our Indonesian and Australian partners in this centre, which will be vital to the future of our region. It brings together powerhouses of education and Australian R&D with our Indonesian partners to work on some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our nations. CSIRO brings its global networks and track record for delivering economic development in agriculture, fisheries, telecommunications and mining to this partnership. We bring our expertise in biosecurity, water and climate adaptation to help address national challenges in Indonesia and the region. We look forward to further strengthening the close collaborations that we have had with the Indonesian scientific community over the past 30 years.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University, Professor Ian Young, said: “The Australian National University welcomes the announcement of the Australian Centre for Indonesia Studies. ANU has a long history of the study of Indonesia and collaboration in the region. ANU will bring to the centre its strengths in areas such as the politics, language, society and economy of Indonesia. Developing closer ties and a deeper understanding between Australia and Indonesia is critical to both countries.”
The Provost of the University of Melbourne, Professor Margaret Sheil, said: “Melbourne University has a proud tradition of working with colleagues in Indonesia in areas ranging from law and public health through to infrastructure engineering. We are pleased to be joining with such a high-calibre group of Indonesian and Australian institutions to address areas of common interest to our two countries.”
As the centre gets under way, it is expected to draw on the expertise of other research and policy centres across Australia and Indonesia.