A group of UNE Business School students have enhanced their future employment prospects, and increased their knowledge of Indonesian business and culture, during a recent study tour of the country.

The two-week tour started in Jakarta, where students were briefed by trade officials at the Australian Embassy, and was followed by stopovers on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Lombok, before concluding in Bali.

The 15 tourists were given a unique insight into the rich soils and natural resources of Indonesia’s thriving agricultural industry, including visits to a feedlot, rice plantations, palm oil projects and irrigation systems.

It wasn’t all business though, as the students had the opportunity to take in some of Indonesia’s rich culture, visiting the ancient temple of Borobudur in Java – the world’s largest Buddhist edifice – as well as the city of Yogyakarta, renowned as a centre of education and fine arts, overlooked by the active volcano, Merapi.

Lecturer Dr Tony Ramsay declared the study tour a success on many levels.

“With Australia continuing to build on our already strategically important relationship with Indonesia, the tour allowed students to both network and build cultural literacy, which is something prospective employers continue to look for in graduates,” he said.

“While good grades are important to prospective employers, critical soft skills like adoptability, flexibility and the capacity to build a global mind-set continue to be of fundamental importance given that we are very much operating within the Asian Century.”

The tour is one of two offered by the UNE Business School to students during the year. The next tour will be to China, led by Dr George Chen. It will focus on global business innovation and leaves on October 29.