Canberra, Kemendikbudristek  — The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) through the Office of Education and Cultural Attaché (Atdikbud) of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Canberra, held a coordination meeting (rakor) at the beginning of 2024 with the Indonesian Student Association in Australia (PPIA) online on Saturday (3/2).

The coordination meeting, led by the Education and Cultural Attaché of KBRI Canberra, Mukhamad Najib, was attended by all board members of PPIA at both central and branch levels. This activity discussed the work plans for 2024, such as PPIA Victoria, PPIA Tasmania, PPIA Australian Capital Territory, PPIA New South Wales, PPIA Western Australia, PPIA Queensland, and PPIA South Australia.

The purpose of this coordination meeting is to synchronize the work programs for 2024 between the Central PPIA, Branches, and Sub-branches with the programs of KBRI Canberra, particularly in the fields of education, research, social, and cultural. The overarching theme of the work program for 2024 is Celebrating 75 Years of Indonesia-Australia Relations with Strengthening Cooperation in Education, Social, Cultural, and Economic Fields.

In his remarks, Mukhamad Najib conveyed that there is currently a new momentum in the internationalization of the Indonesian language in Australia. After the Indonesian language was accepted as an official language in UNESCO meetings, the next task is to encourage as many Australian students as possible to learn Indonesian. In this regard, Atdikbud encourages PPIA at both central and sub-branch levels to be involved in the internationalization of the Indonesian language in Australia.

"Each branch and sub-branch of PPIA across Australia needs to develop programs that can directly promote the Indonesian language and culture to students and communities in each state," Najib explained. He added that currently, Indonesian is the fifth most studied language by Australian students. Even in some states, such as Victoria and Western Australia, Indonesian is the second most studied foreign language in schools.

According to Najib, the responsibility for the internationalization of the Indonesian language is not only on the shoulders of the government but also on the entire Indonesian diaspora abroad, including students who are currently studying in Australia. "KBRI Canberra will support and facilitate PPIA with programs related to the internationalization of the Indonesian language in Australia, and KBRI has allocated a specific budget for that purpose," Najib concluded.

Responding to Atdikbud's invitation, the Chairperson of PPIA Victoria, Anak Agung, stated that in 2024, there will be many cultural activities organized by PPIA Victoria. Some significant activities related to strengthening the Indonesian language and culture include organizing the Indonesian Literacy Symposium and staging Wayang performances. Not wanting to be left behind, PPIA South Australia stated that they have had cooperation programs with schools to teach the Indonesian language and culture.

"This year, PPIA South Australia will continue to visit schools to introduce Indonesian culture and teach the Indonesian language," explained the chairperson of PPIA South Australia, Alisha Hutomo.

Meanwhile, Feodora Inggrid Tanuwijaya from PPIA New South Wales plans to hold an Indonesian Night Market in June 2024. This event will feature cultural parades, traditional and modern music performances, as well as an Indonesian food night market. Similarly, representing PPIA Queensland, Mandha Syachputri explained the programs of community festivals and cultural feasts that will be the flagship programs to promote the Indonesian language and culture in Queensland.

In general, both the central and branch PPIA agree on the importance of introducing Indonesian culture and internationalizing the Indonesian language in Australia. PPIA President, Wildan Ali, emphasized that PPIA is ready to cooperate and fully support KBRI's programs in promoting the Indonesian language in Australia. Closing the Atdikbud coordination meeting with PPIA, Wildan hoped that the central, branch and sub-branch PPIA could build more productive cooperation and synergy in 2024.