RI, Australia to forge accord on education<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Senior Indonesian and Australian officials met
\nyesterday to develop a cooperation program in relation to
\neducation and vocational training.<\/p>\n
The recent diplomatic tiff over Jakarta's appointed ambassador
\nto Australia did not appear to have any effect on the proceedings
\nor the atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, who
\nhelped launch the two-day conference, said the education
\ncooperation program between the two countries would go on.<\/p>\n
\"There is no connection between the case of the Indonesian
\nambassador and the cooperation in vocational training,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Saying that the problem of the current absence of an
\nIndonesian ambassador to Australia was a matter for the two
\ncountries' foreign ministries to resolve, Wardiman added that the
\ndecision of the Indonesian government earlier this month to
\nwithdraw Ambassador Mantiri was not at all similar to the policy
\nadopted by Jakarta in 1992, when, after a diplomatic row, it
\nrefused to receive any further financial or other aid from the
\ngovernment of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
At that time several educational programs financed by Dutch
\naid were badly affected.<\/p>\n
Wardiman, accompanied by Australia's Minister for Schools,
\nVocational Education and Training Ross Free, held a joint press
\nconference yesterday after they officially opened the conference
\non \"Education and Training for Industry Growth\" at the Jakarta
\nConvention Center.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief also attended the
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
The conference is being attended by 400 participants,
\ncomprised of officials and professionals from Australia and
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Seventy speakers are scheduled to present their views on
\ntraining in the tourist, mining, engineering, building and
\nconstruction and telecommunications industries.<\/p>\n
\"The conference is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding of
\nthe policy program in vocational training, building industrial
\nnetworks, identifying future practical cooperative action, as
\nwell as facilitating industrial linkages,\" Free said.<\/p>\n
To support the cooperation program, Free opened last night the
\noffice of the Australian International Education Foundation.<\/p>\n
The mission of foundation, an agency of the Australian
\ngovernment, is to encourage the contribution of Australian
\neducation and training providers to global intellectual, cultural
\ntechnological and economic growth.<\/p>\n
Wardiman said the conference, a follow-up to last year's
\nmeeting, was important in developing Indonesia's resources.<\/p>\n
He said that, in the coming era of economic interdependence,
\ntrade between any two countries would need qualified and highly
\nprofessional personnel.<\/p>\n
Canberra has already provided various scholarships for
\nIndonesian teachers and students to study in Australia.<\/p>\n
During the past five years the Australian government has been
\nextending financial aid to Indonesian vocational institutions.<\/p>\n
In the provision of Australian aid, priority has been given to
\nIndonesia's less-developed eastern regions.<\/p>\n
The total number of Indonesian students studying in Australia,
\nincluding those who pay their own tuition fees and lodging, is
\napproximately 13,000. (03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-australia-to-forge-accord-on-education-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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