Taking place at Griffith University, Nathan Campus in Brisbane (11/6/18), witnessed by the Indonesian President’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Rachmat Witoelar, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney, Heru Hartanto Subolo as special quest, and many other invitees, The Collaborative Australia-Indonesia Program for Sustainable Development and Climate Change 2018-2021 was launched by the Vice Chancellor of Griffith University, Professor Ian O’Connor and Professor Rachmat Witoelar.
This collaborative program has been developed by the Griffith Asia Institute, under leadership of Professor Caitlin Byrne as Director to the institute. This 3 year program comprisses four inter-related main programs, namely High Level Dialogue; Collaborative Research; Research Support, Mentoring and Capacity Building; and Student Mobility.
“The collaborative program is a reflection of Griffith University’s commitment to continue a stronger engagement with Indonesia through a strategic and mutually beneficial way, particularly in the issue of sustainable development and climate change”, expressed Prof. Caitli Byrne in her introductory remarks prior to the launch.
Meanwhile, Professor Rachmat Witoelar in his keynote speech, he not only appreciated Griffith University for such important undertaking, but also underlined the significance of such collaborative program.
“I am confident that this program will contribute positively to further enhance Indonesia-Australia cooperation. Also, it will contribute to regional cooperation, especially in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change’, said Rachmat Witolear.
Following up the launch of the program, Griffith University will develop partnership with relevant institutions in Indonesia. Griffith University has also scheduled to convene the first dialogue in Brisbane, Australia in November this year, under the theme “Deepening Regional Cooperation on Climate Change – An Agenda for the Future””.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, covering New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia continues to promote and encourage education sector, including development of collaboration between educational institutions as one of priority programs to strengthen further Indonesia-Australia relations.
