I was sitting at home on a Sunday night and all of a sudden I remembered that applications for the Pidato Antarabangsa Bahasa Melayu (PABM) 2013 were about to close. I had already began putting something together earlier in the week, but between work and uni, I’d let it fall through the cracks. So I turned on my laptop, found the file, finished the submission, and sent it off.

The following Tuesday I received a short email from the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) to congratulate and tell me that I was off to Malaysia… I am SO glad I got that submission in on time! But there was still one more hurdle – would work let me have the time off? Thankfully they were very supportive and two and a bit weeks later I arrived in Kuala Lumpur – let the good times roll!

I was one of the first to arrive at the hotel so there wasn’t anyone hanging around the lobby that night. I went up to my hotel room at about 10pm and was still a bit spun out that I was in Kuala Lumpur and was wondering who my roommate would be, where would they be from, would we get along??

Then at about midnight a girl came crashing through the door. She looked at me and in very broken English asked – Do you speak Indonesian? I said – Yeah. She asked – Thank God! Do you smoke? I said – When I’m on holidays, yeah! Then we lit a smoke and didn’t stop talking and laughing until about 4am. Turns out she is Italian and has spent a lot of time in Indo – so many stories were told that night!

The first day we just got to chill out and cruise around KL. There was about 10 of us who buddied up that day – from Romania, Sudan, Tajikistan, the Netherlands, Russia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Greece, Korea and Mongolia. It quickly turned out that it was too hard to remember everyone’s names.

There were 77 people there from 72 countries! There were ten representatives from five native speaking countries in one category – Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand – and then 67 second language speakers from 67 different countries. So a lot of the time we ended up just calling each other by the country.

Then the program got underway. We had a day of introduction, and then the next morning I was on a Channel V-style talk show with Germany. It was so much fun – hair and make-up, the works! It was live so we just had to jam with the presenters who were great. Then, back at the hotel, we had time to workshop our presentations with a tutor. It didn’t end there though – Italy and I were up until 2am reciting our presentations over and over.

The next four days was the competition. Four very long days – 6am until midnight every day – filled with different events like a morning tea at the Prime Minister’s residence, a dinner held by Tourism Malaysia, sight-seeing KL and a bunch of others.

During all of that though, I got through the first round, then the second round, and then got through to the semi-final with nine others – Afghanistan, Panama, Jordan, Italy, Japan, China, Korea, Ghana, and Germany.

I didn’t make it through to the final, but I was so happy with where I had got to. And, like other Australians before me had said, once I saw the 4000 person capacity arena where the final was to be held and heard it was going to be broadcasted live on TV, I was almost glad I didn’t make it through!

But in all honesty, from the moment I arrived, I already felt like I had won. Yes I was there for the competition, but no matter what happened I was still going to be in Malaysia with 77 people from 72 countries who were ALL fantastic, and not to mention the staff who were so much fun.

After the competition finished we went to a village for a homestay. We were there for three nights – it was fantastic! Italy and I were in the same house, along with China, Greece and Montenegro. Our homestay mum, ‘Ma’, was lovely and cooked the most delicious food. Those days were filled with riding bicycles or motorbikes along the rice fields, playing soccer with the kids, making batik and singing karaoke (what’s trip to Asia without karaoke?!).

Thank you AIYA, the Malaysian Government and all the sponsors for giving me such a great opportunity. I had some of the best conversations, laughed all day every day and made some friends for life. I now know 71 people from all over the world that I communicate with by speaking Indonesian – who would have thought?

After the release of the Asian Century White Paper last year, the question of Indonesian language’s decline in schools and universities attracted a lot of coverage. This was highlighted most starkly last year, when two major universities, La Trobe and UNSW, publicly announced – and reversed – plans to axe their Indonesian language programs, due to low enrolments.

It was also highlighted by Foreign Minister Bob Carr in a recent speech to the Indonesia-Australia dialogue:

“The lack of knowledge between our two societies remains a key challenge,” he said.

“At the very moment when we, Australia, should be moving closer to Indonesia, our Indonesian ‘literacy’ has declined. There are fewer university students studying Bahasa Indonesia today than 20 years ago.”

In light of this, we thought it would be worth taking the time to see if this is really the case. While, certainly, there is persuasive evidence to indicate that Australia’s Indonesian studies capacity has declined, significantly, over the last decade, is this still the case? Prompted by a few rumours – and a tweet – we got in touch with academics, lecturers and teachers around the country for their thoughts.

David Hill, director of ACICIS and the Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at Murdoch University in Western Australia, noted that Murdoch University had experienced some growth – indeed, his was the only university to increase enrolments between 2001-2010.

It is great news that Indonesian enrolments in some universities are increasing markedly this year. Thankfully, the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper has stimulated lots of discussion in the media about the benefits of an Asian language. That is great! Hopefully this encourages students to enrol, and to try Indonesian.

Monash University have also seen an increase. Indonesian lecturer Yacinta Kurniasih noted that “In general, the number [of enrolments] is up”, with more than 70 students taking part across all levels of the program this year – including 25 first-year students, and 38 at third-year level.

Professor Hill also highlighted the relevance of circumstances in different institutions. Institutions that offer students more flexibility to take part in Indonesian studies – for instance, through breadth subjects, or a Diploma in Modern Languages – make it easier for students to take part. Examples, career pathways, and role models (link to Career Champions section) are also an influence on numbers.

An ‘open’ degree structure which enables students to include a language as a ‘breadth unit’ whatever their degree, is a great incentive too. The support of senior staff, and the examples they set, across the university in promoting language learning can also make a big difference.

Let’s hope that these very positive signs are sustained and transferable, and that the government steps in to provide much-needed support to reinforce the ‘bounce’.

It’s not only universities that have noticed greater interest – Lyndall Franks of the NSW Department of Education and Communities has also noticed a ‘bounce’ in interesting, following the release of last year’s White Paper. She said that many NSW schools had already expressed an interest in opening or expanding Indonesian study programs, and that she’d fielded many enquiries about courses for beginners.

At Perth’s Balai Bahasa Indonesia, they’ve also noticed an uptick in interest – but hesitate to put it down to the Asian Century white paper alone. Head of enrolments Kate Reizenstein, highlighted consistent growth over the last four years:

Both of our beginner classes were booked out before the commencement of the term in early February 2013.  We have been very pleased (and a little bit overwhelmed) by the high level of demand for studying Indonesian and enquiries about our courses.

I am reluctant to say that the hype around announcement of the Australian in the Asian Century White Paper has been the sole factor for the rise in our enrolment figures. However, it is certainly a step in the right direction at promoting engagement with Asian countries and the learning of Asian languages.

Balai Bahasa now offer beginner and intermediate courses, as well as programs specifically directed towards teachers through the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program, which has contributed to a near-100% increase in enrolments since the school opened in 2008.

Balai Bahasa attracts a different demographic to schools and universities: many of those enrolling are groups of friends who frequently visit Indonesia, particularly Bali, for personal and travel reasons. Against the broader narrative of Indonesian-in-decline, Balai Bahasa highlights the potential of informal programs – and, in the case of its NALSSP-funded programs, the value of government support – in increasing Australia’s Asia-literacy.

Yet, this does not appear to hold across the board. In Victoria, high school teacher Jill Andrew noted that year 12 enrolments have remained low at 9 students this year; while her school struggles to attract students to pick up the language in year 7. This is, in large part the result of demographics, and a relative lack of awareness about Indonesia as a destination for study and travel. Many parents, presumably unaware of Indonesia’s relative political and economic stability, encourage their children to study Mandarin.

In 2012, data prepared by the VCAA about the performance of year 12s was unavailable due to low enrolments, while overall, the number of students studying Indonesian through to year 12 across the state has been dropping by 80-90 each year – with no indication of the trend reversing.

On this basis, it would certainly be premature to declare Indonesian studies ‘saved’. Only last year, both La Trobe University and UNSW announced plans to axe their Indonesian programs, following extensive lobbying from students and local Indonesian communities.

Moreover, the federal government has not yet responded to Professor Hill’s 2012 report into the overall state of Indonesian language teaching in Australian universities, despite prior assurances from tertiary education minister Chris Evans. The report, which contains 20 recommendations, was released in April, 2012, and charts the ‘collapse’ of Australia’s Indonesian teaching capacity.

Only 15 of Australia’s 40 major universities now offer Indonesian language programs, five of which rely on other institutions for staff and materials. Between 2004 and 2009, six institutions closed their Indonesian studies programs.

There also remain serious obstacles and disincentives for students who are thinking of taking up Indonesian as a university major: a lack of interest from business, visa difficulties, cost, and incompatibility between government grants and programs such as ACICIS. Many of these issues were addressed by AIYA in our submission and response to last year’s White Paper.

So, while there are positive signs that interest in Indonesian language studies at universities and colleges are increasing, enrolments in schools – and the extremely low base from which university enrolments are growing – indicate that there remains a lot to be done. AIYA eagerly awaits the government’s response to Professor Hill’s report, and to the Coalition’s recent policy announcements.

If you’re a student or a teacher of Indonesian – or even just someone with an interest – we’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you noticed a similar trend? Leave your comments below, or join the discussion on our Facebook page and Twitter account.

The Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies, an AIYA partner organisation based at Murdoch University in Perth, is looking for candidates for a new part-time administrative position.

The Secretariat Officer will be part of a team, reporting to Consortium Director Prof David Hill. They will assist the current Secretariat Manager and Secretariat Officer in the overall smooth-running of the ACICIS Secretariat and will also take responsibility for some specific projects. They will be employed on a part-time fixed-term contract for two days each week. The position is dependent on continuing funding. The initial contract will be for a trial period of 6 months starting at Higher Education Worker Level 4.10 ($33.65 per hour). This is a Perth-based position and no re-location expenses will be provided.

Desirable skills include:

• High level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Office, email and internet.
• Previous administrative experience.
• High level of organisational ability and efficiency.
• High level of oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and personal presentation.
• Motivated to work independently, and the ability to work in a team environment.
• High level of numeracy, and knowledge of financial and business procedures.
• Indonesian language skills.
• Broad knowledge of Indonesia and ‘in-country’ Indonesian programs
• Web-page management, video production, and/or graphic design skills will be particularly highly regarded.

If you’re interested in applying, send an application through to the Secretariat Manager, Mr David Armstrong [email protected] by Monday, March 25. Be sure to include your CV, contact details for three referees, and a cover letter addressing each of the skills suggested above.

The Australia Indonesia Business Council are looking for a casual events organiser to work 7.5 hours, and possibly more, per week. The position would involve:

• Managing the AIBC’s membership database;
• Telephone communication with State Chairs to coordinate events; and
• Assisting with Sydney-based events.

Over the weekend, two AIYA members, Arjuna Dibley and Nicholas Mark, were fortunate enough to take part in the second Indonesia-Australia Dialogue, a bilateral event which brought together high-profile figures from both countries, including Foreign Minister Bob Carr, Shadow Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Hassan Wirajuda, as well as academics and senior journalists.

Overall, it was encouraging to see representatives from both nations optimistically aiming to strengthen relations in all areas, including education, culture, science and technology, and business and politics. Both Australia and Indonesia are currently experiencing interesting political circumstances, particularly with Indonesia’s upcoming  (and unpredictable) national election in 2014. In the meantime, there’s a lot of work to be done to implement solid positive progress.

The second day of the Dialogue included a speech from the current Shadow Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, which set out the key principles behind the Coalition’s Asia policy, should it win government in September. It makes an interesting counterpoint to Bob Carr’s speech to the IAD, but hasn’t yet attracted as much coverage.

With an emphasis on the ‘global century’, in contrast with the current Government’s preferred ‘Asian Century’ nomenclature, Bishop stressed that Coalition’s foreign policy priorities would be ‘unmistakably regional’.

Much like Labor, the Coalition has placed economic integration at the centre of their Asia-engagement policy. To this end, Bishop said that establishing free trade agreements with major Asian economies would be central, including finalising the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA CEPA).  Importantly, Bishop said that a key aspect of the Coalitions policy will be better coordination between trade and visa policies relating to Asia. This is an especially salient point for AIYA, given that visa issues have limited the number of Australians able to work and travel in Indonesia for extended periods.

Bishop made, and re-iterated, a number of specific policy commitments regarding the Coalition’s approach to relations with Indonesia, including a “no surprises policy” that would effectively guarantee consultation in advance of any decisions that would affect Indonesia’s national interest (a direct attack on Labor’s handling of the 2011 live cattle export ban).

The Shadow Foreign Minister also committed the Coalition to a ‘more realistic’ assessment of Australia’s diplomatic footprint in Indonesia, foreshadowing a possible reallocation of funding for DFAT, along with expanded representation in cities such as Surabaya.

The speech also elaborated on the Coalition’s ‘new Colombo Plan’ policy, which has already attracted coverage elsewhere. The plan commits a future Coalition government to an extensive overseas study program for Australians in Asia: so much so that it becomes ‘the norm, and not the exception’. Her speech also outlined plans to place more Australian graduates in internships in Indonesia: an effort that would also, inevitably, involve growing links with Australian businesses operating in Asia.

In the speech, Bishop said that the Coalition were planning to adopt Indonesia as the first test country for the internship program. To this end, we’d love to hear your thoughts: AIYA have been invited along to a round table to discuss this proposal in further detail.

While Bishop’s speech presents some promising signs for a stronger educational and economic relationship with Indonesia, it also raised a few questions: how will the Coalition simultaneously achieve a budget surplus and find adequate funding to open new diplomatic representation in Indonesia? What, if any, reciprocal benefits will be made available to Asian students under the new-Colombo plan? What assistance will be provided to interns under the new-Colombo plan to obtain visas?

The speech conspicuously avoided more sensitive diplomatic issues, such as the Coalition’s current commitment to tow asylum seeker boats back into Indonesian waters. In spite of the Coalition’s positive efforts to promote engagement with Indonesia, this issue has the potential to become a major diplomatic issue, and one which could derail the Coalition’s otherwise promising policies.

We’d love to hear your thoughts: feel free to leave them on our Facebook page, mention @aiya_national, or post in the comments below!