Far sighted

I recently attended a one-day open house held in Jakarta by the University of Melbourne. A long line of students waited to join a workshop conducted by the university, while others took the opportunity to discuss their study options with counselors.

Mingling among them were Indonesian alumni of the university. One of them told me about his experiences being a legislative intern, having an off-campus job and learning about Australian football. He had fully immersed himself in life Down Under, even developing an Australian accent.

In this month’s edition on education, we look at why more and more Indonesians are taking the opportunity to study abroad, and the benefits they reap by stepping out of their regular environment. It’s interesting to me that many returning students say that going abroad helped them better understand themselves as Indonesians.

Common to all is an awareness of the importance of education for future success – both for individuals and for the nation as a whole. Education is a sector where many Indonesians are seeking to make a difference. Here we learn about some of these inspiring initiatives, including setting up libraries in remote areas and creating forums to empower the country’s youth. With Australia providing not only high-quality education but also excellent travel destinations, we also have a special focus on our southern neighbor.

Here’s hoping you will find much to interest you in this issue – and let’s hope that in moving forward for a greater Indonesia, all the nation’s citizens will be provided suitable educational opportunities.

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