Study Abroad Opportunity: FISIP UIN Jakarta Hosts University Roadshow with Australian Embassy
Jakarta, UIN Online News — The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta hosted the Aussie University Roadshow in collaboration with the Embassy of Australia, held at the Bahtiar Effendy Auditorium on Tuesday (30/09/2025).
Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Ali Munhanif, M.A., Ph.D., welcomed the initiative, highlighting its significance for students and graduates seeking to pursue studies in Australia, promoting international opportunities for FISIP graduates while strengthening academic and cultural ties between Indonesia and Australia.
“This gathering marks an important first step in opening opportunities for our graduates to continue their academic journey in Australia,” he remarked.
In her opening speech, Ms. Gita Kamath, Deputy Ambassador of Australia, underscored the deep-rooted trust that have shaped bilateral cooperation. She noted that more than 200,000 Indonesians are alumni of Australian institutions, reflecting seven decades of educational exchange.
“Today, we are also presenting the Australia Awards, the longest-running foreign scholarship program in Indonesia. It empowers talented young people to study in Australia while bringing fresh perspectives, optimism, and energy to our shared relationship,” she explained.
The Planning Session featured three distinguished speakers:
-
Ms. Susannah Patton, Deputy Director of Research and Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute
-
Dr. Badrus Sholeh, S.Ag., M.A., Ph.D., Lecturer at UIN Jakarta
-
Dr. Ahmad Khoirul Umam, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Paramadina Public Policy Institute.
The discussion, themed “Preserving and Promoting Peace and Security in the Indo-Pacific,” addressed the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Ms. Susannah Patton stressed Australia’s increasing focus on Southeast Asia and Indonesia in particular, noting their strategic importance in a rapidly changing world.
“I think the obvious solution is for Australia and Indonesia to continue working together, both bilaterally and on issues where cooperation in multilateral forums is possible,” she said.
Then, Dr. Badrus Sholeh highlighted the intensifying rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, especially between superpowers such as China and the United States.
“From Indonesia’s perspective, bilateralism is no longer sufficient. The U.S. remains focused on its national interests, while China channels its influence through economic investments worldwide,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmad Khoirul Umam echoed the importance of cooperation while acknowledging the challenges.
“But we from Indonesia consider that there is no more bilateral, because the US focused on their interests nationally, America first. China also focused on economic investment all over the world," he noted.
The panel underscored the importance of building equal and sustainable partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, while also reaffirming the role of higher educational institutions in expanding international collaboration and academic quality.
To conclude the session, participants were introduced to the Australia Awards scholarship program and the Knowledge Partnership Platform (KONEKSI) International Collaboration for Local Knowledge, which provided guidance on fostering global-level educational collaboration.
(Meisa Aqilah N.H./.Zaenal M./Fauziah M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photos: Muhammad Ghifari Rahman)