UNE has been engaged within Indonesia for many years and within the last five years, most prominently, through the ACIAR IndoBeef project development. Our historical and more recent activities, exemplify our long term approach and investment in Indonesia. UNE’s engagement within Indonesia also demonstrates our commitment to the development of long term, mutually beneficial outcomes for stakeholders.
UNE’s engagement has been based on friendships and collaborations that recognise the value of the contribution of our Indonesian partners to our collective success.
We currently have active MoUs with Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), University of Bengkulu (UNIB) and the University of Mataram (UNRAM). We are proactively fostering mutual interests under these agreements, which are backed up by sound and identified institutional support.
Current activities with our Indonesian University colleagues have resulted in emergence of ambassadors for our partnerships, thus serving to strengthen our collaboration. Many of these ambassadors are actively involved in the supervision of Indonesian higher degree candidates enrolled with UNE.
Last week we had a visit from UNRAM, providing an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen our collaborative relationship with this university. With the recent appointment of Professor Lalu Husni as Rector of UNRAM, opportunity to sign a new five year MoU between our universities was taken. During the visit the appointment of a new adjunct position with UNRAM was formalised and the opportunity meet to discuss IndoBeef research matters was taken.
Meetings with our visitors explored and identified the ongoing direction of the expansion of our research and education relationship with UNRAM. With the imminent signing of an agreement with and Indonesian government higher education funding organisation (DG_RSTHE) and UNE, talks revealed exciting opportunities for Indonesian academics to apply for funding to study at UNE.
Also discussed was an event “Indonesia-UNE: Partner and Collaborate” being planned and to be held in Bali in April this year. The goal of this meeting will be to build on our current Indonesian partner activities and develop a clear list of focused and actionable opportunities of substance for the future.
Image: Rector of the University of Mataram, Professor Lalu Husni, signs the MoU with UNE Vice-chancellor, Prof. Annabelle Duncan, and Chancellor James Harris.