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How Australian and Indonesian Medicine Companies Leverage Distribution in the GCC

Written by Saman Farrukh @ Seventure Flow

Edited by: Tri Nurmalina Pambudi (AIYA National Communications Coordinator)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has become one of the world’s fastest growing healthcare markets. Rising healthcare investments, ambitious national visions, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and a heavy reliance on imported medicines. For Australian and Indonesian medicine companies, this growth presents more than a commercial opportunity. It reflects deeper patterns of health cooperation, knowledge exchange, and regional engagement. It is no surprise that global players are eyeing expansion. Not only this, but GCC’s growth has laid the foundation for countries like Indonesia and Australia, whose medicine companies are aiming for international growth.

This push aligns with wider Australia-Indonesia cooperation in health, education, and research, where institutions and professionals from both countries are diligently working across borders.

Yet entering the GCC is not a simple matter of finding a distributor and shipping products. Success depends not only on product quality, but on navigating regulatory systems, building trusted local partnerships, and managing distribution networks that work across diverse healthcare environments.

Navigating Regulatory Compliance: The Gateway to GCC Market Access

A foundational step for entering the GCC pharmaceutical market starts with understanding regulatory expectations. Each country has its own authority, such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), while some frameworks aim to support regional consistency.

For Australian and Indonesian companies, compliance plays a central role in shaping how they engage with GCC healthcare systems. Many firms approach the regulation as the long-term process of alignment and trust building rather than a hurdle, which is often supported by local partners and regional advisers.

These requirements generally involve making sure that the product quality, safety, and manufacturing standards align with local expectations.

For students and early-career professionals, this is a time for them to get hands-on knowledge, as regulatory affairs and policy coordination are becoming visible in career pathways for those interested in international health and cross-border systems.

Forging Market Partnerships: Collaborations That Fuel Expansion

No pharmaceutical company operates in the GCC alone. Strategic partnerships with established local distributors remain central to effective distribution, particularly for navigating logistics, procurement systems, and business practices.

For companies from Australia and Indonesia, whose domestic frameworks differ from those in the GCC, the right partnerships help bridge institutional and operational gaps. These collaborations often include shared warehousing, coordinated supply planning, and ongoing market engagement.

Australian and Indonesian players also bring complementary strengths. Australia’s research and quality-focused expertise and Indonesia’s growing manufacturing capacity are already seen between the two countries in education and workforce development, which reflects the broader patterns of cooperation.

Optimized Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation

Due to the region’s geographic scale, pharmaceutical companies rely on coordinated logistics and resilient supply chains. Australian and Indonesian firms have adapted by strengthening cold-chain systems, improving inventory visibility, and prioritizing delivery reliability to ensure consistent access to medicines.

These systems support not only efficiency but also patient safety across diverse healthcare settings.

Research, Technology, and Emerging Skills

Research and digital tools are increasingly central to how Australian and Indonesian pharmaceutical companies operate in the GCC. Digital platforms support registration processes, market analysis, and post-market monitoring, helping firms adapt to GCC-specific healthcare needs.

These developments have opened doors for young professionals, providing opportunities in areas such as digital health, supply chain management, and regulatory support. Exposure to cross-border systems is becoming an increasingly valuable part of early career development.

Conclusion: A Long-Term View of GCC Engagement

Australian and Indonesian pharmaceutical companies are not simply entering the GCC market; they are engaging with it through collaboration, learning, and long-term partnerships.

By navigating regulatory systems and working closely with regional distributors, companies contribute to deeper Australia-Indonesia cooperation, strengthening people-to-people links and institutional relationships that extend beyond commercial outcomes alone.

AIYA Blog

The Decline of Indonesian Language Learning in Australia and What Tall Poppy Syndrome Might Have to Do With It

In the 1990s, Indonesian was everywhere in Australian classrooms.

It was one of the most widely taught languages, supported by the Australian government through the National Policy on Languages and the National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools Program (NALSSP).

Fast forward to today, and the situation looks very different.

Indonesian has slowly disappeared from many school curricula and university programs. A language once described as “strategic” for Australia’s engagement with its closest neighbour is now increasingly treated as optional or expendable.

At the end of 2024, Scotch College phased out Indonesian studies. The Essington School followed, announcing its decision to stop teaching the program by mid-2025. More recently, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) proposed to cut its Indonesian language program as part of a broader restructuring process. This proposal sparked criticism nationwide, with the Australia–Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) also urging the university to reconsider.

Individually, these decisions might seem understandable. Taken together, they point to a much bigger problem.

So, Why is This Still Happening?

The reasons behind this ongoing trend are often explained in familiar terms: funding cuts, institutional restructuring, a shortage of qualified teachers, non-engaging curricula or materials, and the perception that learning Indonesian does not lead to clear economic returns.

All these structural factors are important, but they do not tell the whole story. There may also be a quieter cultural dimension at play—one that is less frequently discussed but deeply embedded in Australian society: tall poppy syndrome.

A Brief Context

According to data cited by the Asia Education Foundation, enrolments in Indonesian language learning in Australian schools have dropped by more than 80 per cent since the early 2000s. Several universities have closed or merged Indonesian programs altogether, often citing low student demand.

This decline is occurring despite Indonesia being Australia’s nearest neighbour, the fourth most populous country in the world, and an increasingly influential regional power.

Australian governments have repeatedly acknowledged this contradiction through various policy statements and initiatives. However, these policy ambitions have not yet translated into sustained cultural enthusiasm—or for the classrooms to stay open.

The Tall Poppy Syndrome in Australia

Tall poppy syndrome refers to the social tendency to criticise, downplay, or “cut down” individuals who stand out due to exceptional achievement, ambition, or expertise. In Australia, it is often linked to values of egalitarianism, modesty, and not appearing to think too highly of oneself.

In work environments and leadership studies, tall poppy syndrome has been examined extensively. Research shows that some entrepreneurs, for example, deliberately stay under the radar and avoid drawing attention to their success.

In many ways, these values are positive. But they can also have unintended consequences.

They can also discourage people from visibly pursuing specialised or “unusual” expertise—especially in areas perceived as outside the mainstream.

Language learning, particularly at an advanced level, requires sustained effort, public vulnerability, and a willingness to be visibly “different”.

And that’s where things start to get uncomfortable.

When Being “Too Good” Feels Awkward

The Australian education system offers Indonesian studies at various levels, from primary school to secondary school and university. However, many Australians only study Indonesian at a basic or intermediate level, often because it is required by the school curriculum. Very few continue into university-level study.

For those who pursue Indonesian beyond basic level, a subtle social question may arise. Something like “Why Indonesian?”, “Is there even a career in that?” or “Isn’t English enough?”

These questions may seem harmless but they could create an environment where deep engagement with Indonesian language and culture feels socially unsupported.

Being “too good” at Indonesian can start to feel unnecessary, idealistic, or even naïve. Not something to aspire to — just a quirky interest.

In this sense, it seems that tall poppy syndrome does not operate through an open hostility, but a quiet discouragement. It works quietly. Through raised eyebrows. Through polite doubt. Through the sense that maybe you’re trying a bit too hard.

Excellence in Indonesian language learning is not celebrated in the same way as success in law, medicine, or business. Instead, it is often treated as a curiosity rather than a valued skill.

The Good Enough Mindset

Another cultural outcome of tall poppy syndrome is the preference for being “good enough” rather than exceptional. In language learning, this can translate into the belief that basic greetings or cultural awareness are sufficient.

Real fluency takes time, mistakes, and vulnerability. It means being okay with sounding awkward, asking questions, and committing to something that doesn’t offer instant rewards. In a culture where standing out can attract quiet scepticism, it’s easier not to go that far.

While foundational knowledge is important, meaningful engagement with Indonesia, whether in diplomacy, business, journalism, or civil society requires deeper linguistic and cultural competence.

Without it, Australia risks relying on intermediaries, translators, or surface-level understanding.

The Real Meaning

At present, there is no academic research or evidence that directly links tall poppy syndrome to the decline of Indonesian language proficiency in Australia.

However, the decline in Indonesian language learning is not just an educational issue or budget. It is also about behaviour, culture and what we quietly encourage—or discourage—as a society.

This perspective may be worth being addressed as it can significantly influence how policies addressing this decline are designed and implemented.

Addressing the decline of Indonesian language learning requires more than policy fixes or funding injections. It also demands a cultural shift in how Australia values language expertise.

Letting the Tall Poppies Grow

We need to move away from viewing deep linguistic and cultural knowledge as niche or indulgent, and towards recognising it as a form of leadership and public service.

Language is a gateway to trust, nuance, and mutual understanding.

When fewer Australians speak Indonesian, opportunities for people-to-people connection can shrink. Celebrating Australians who excel in Indonesian rather than quietly questioning their choices can help normalise ambition in this space.

Sometimes, letting the tall poppies grow is exactly what strong relationships need.

This article is written and edited by Tri Pambudi (AIYA Communications Coordinator)

AIYA Blog

Malam Budaya Indonesia Pertama Kami

Ditulis oleh Indah
Penyunting & Penerjemah: Tri Nurmalina

Klik di sini untuk versi Bahasa Inggrisnya!!

Pada hari Jumat, 30 Mei 2025, kami dari AIYA South Australia (AIYA SA) mengadakan Indonesian Cultural Night pertama kami! Acara bulanan ini diselenggarakan bekerja sama dengan PPIA di University of Adelaide.

Kami menyajikan makanan Indonesia secara gratis, menayangkan film Indonesia, dan menyediakan berbagai permainan tradisional yang bisa dinikmati semua peserta. Acara ini gratis bagi anggota AIYA dan PPIA—dan kami juga mengadakan promosi khusus: siapa pun yang mendaftar sebagai anggota sebelum tanggal 1 Juni bisa langsung bergabung dan mengikuti acara secara gratis!

Dari pengalaman pribadi saya, malam itu terasa sangat istimewa—terutama saat saya bermain permainan tradisional yang mengingatkan saya pada masa kecil. Rasanya sangat nostalgik. Saya bermain bersama tiga gadis Australia yang tampak sangat antusias untuk ikut serta. Selain bisa memperkenalkan budaya saya, acara ini juga menghubungkan saya kembali dengan kenangan manis masa kecil.

Kami bermain karet dan congklak sambil berbicara dalam bahasa Indonesia! Ternyata mereka sudah belajar bahasa Indonesia sejak sekolah, dan mereka sangat bersemangat untuk mempraktikkannya bersama saya. Menyenangkan sekali melihat betapa terbukanya mereka dalam belajar dan berinteraksi.

Lebih dari sekadar makanan dan permainan, acara ini juga menjadi ajang untuk saling mengenal. Banyak peserta memanfaatkan kesempatan ini untuk berjejaring, berkenalan, dan berbincang dengan orang-orang dari latar belakang yang berbeda. Saya sendiri berbicara dengan beberapa orang yang baru saya temui malam itu—dan terasa sekali bahwa acara ini memberi ruang bagi terciptanya percakapan dan pertemanan yang bermakna antara pemuda Indonesia dan Australia.

Pada akhirnya, acara ini bukan hanya soal budaya. Ini tentang berbagi, terhubung, dan saling belajar dalam suasana yang menyenangkan dan terbuka. Kami sangat antusias untuk melanjutkan acara ini setiap bulan, dan tak sabar melihat lebih banyak pertukaran budaya dan koneksi yang terjalin ke depannya.

AIYA Blog

Kongres AIYA 2024

Artikel oleh Claudia Wijaya – Presiden Nasional AIYA

Diterjemahkan oleh Aqsa Suryana – Tim Translator Nasional AIYA

Klik di sini untuk versi Bahasa Inggris.

Sejak 2020, AIYA telah menyelenggarakan konferensi tahunan, Kongres, di Australia dan Indonesia dengan tujuan mempertemukan semua sukarelawan AIYA dari semua provinsi untuk kenalan, ikut workshop (lokakarya) kebudayaan, upskilling untuk meningkatkan kemampuan internal dan ikut serta berbagai macam aktivitas. Tahun ini, kami mengatur ulang konferesi Kongres AIYA agar bisa memaksimalkan waktu semua hadirin. Pada hari Minggu 25 Februari 2024, kami mengadakan hari Perencanaan Strategis dimana setiap portfolio dan setiap Chapter mendapat kesempatan untuk memberi update mengenai apa yang telah mereka capai dalam setahun kemarin ini dan apa yang mereka rencanakan untuk tahun depan. Kongres kami berlangsung pada tanggal 1-3 Maret 2024 di Melbourne, Australia dan 8-10 Maret 2024 di Jakarta, Indonesia. Kongres tahun ini terdiri dari dewan direksi AIYA, presiden setiap Chapter kami, dan para petugas dari tim nasional dan tim Chapter kami yang berbasis di negara bagian dan kota-kota tertentu.

1 – 3 Maret 2024, Melbourne, Australia

Hari pertama Kongres AIYA 2024 jatuh pada hari Jum’at dan konferensi tahun ini diadakan di kampus Clayton di Universitas Monash. Tahun ini, Kongres dimulai dengan sesi pembukaan dan kelas memasak yang dipimpin oleh Bu Ati dari Dapur Indo. Beliau mengajari kami tiga resep makanan Indonesia yaitu martabak telor, bakwan, dan klepon.

“Tak hanya makanannya enak, tapi juga jadi kesempatan pertama yang bagus banget untuk anggota-anggota AIYA agar kami semua, sebagai satu tim, dapat membuat makanan lezat dengan bantuan Bu Ati. Sesi ini tentunya lebih dari hanya memasak, tapi juga tentang penciptaan persahabatan dan kemitraan melalui makanan dan keriangan.” – Lachlan Cropley (Koordinator Kebudayaan AIYA)

Coba lihat Tik Tok Martabak kami disini!

Malam itu, kami menyelenggarakan Networking Night ASEAN-Australia yang terakreditasi sebagai yang pertama dari sekian banyak acara Special Summit ASEAN-Australia pada satu minggu itu. Para pembicara di acara kami berasal dari bidang-bidang berbeda dan mereka memberi perspektif masing-masing mengenai kondisi hubungan ASEAN-Australia pada saat ini dan buat masa depan. Terima kasih kepada para pembicara kami Leigh Howard, Grant Dooley, Trang Nguyen, Laura Burke, Melissa Conely Tyler, Ruth Stewart, Monash Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre and AASYP for the collaboration.

Pada hari Sabtu di pekan itu, para hadirin ikut serta upskilling untuk meningkatkan kemampuan internal spesifik terkait pemasaran, kemitraan dan sponsor, teknis penulisan proposal pendanaan, dan juga solusi internal. Ini semua bertujuan untuk membantu dengan perencanaan acara-acara AIYA buat tahun mendatang serta memberi sukarelawan kami keahlian yang integral agar bisa melaksanakan inisitiaf AIYA. Semua workshop ini semakin dimeriahkan dengan Amazing Race yang seru dan menyenangkan untuk meningkatkan semangat dan sifat kompetitif kita.

Sabtu malam itu diisi dengan acara Indonesian Chill Out Night (malam santai khas Indonesia) yang dipimpin oleh AIYA Chapter di Victoria, Australia dan di-MC oleh aktris lokal Indonesia Miranda Anwar. Chill Out Night terdiri dari berbagai kegiatan seperti permainan, networking, dan tentunya makanan Indonesia. Permainan pada malam ini diantaranya adalah bingo, kahoot, dan undian berhadiah. Ada juga pertunjukan spesial oleh penyanyi dan gitaris Nugraha Saputera.

Hari terakhir di Melbourne adalah final wrap up, penyerahan sertifikat, dan pemutaran film pemenang penghargaan asal Australia ‘The Drover’s Wife’.

8 – 10 Maret 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia

Kongres Jakarta dimulai dengan makan siang di Teras Dharmawangsa di mana kami memberi kata sambutan pembuka dan arahan, lalu kami hadir di Jakarta Amara Creative Centre. Para hadirin ikut serta dalam kelas tari tradisional dan belajar empat tarian asal dari Kalimantan, Papua, Sumatera Barat, dan Riau.

Malam itu dihabiskan di kediaman duta besar Australia dengan Wakil Duta Besar Stephen Scott di mana kami mendiskusikan AIYA, hubungan dan kemitraan Australia-Indonesia, dan visi buat masa depan. Tahun ini kami merayakan 75 tahun hubungan diplomatik Australia-Indonesia!

Pada hari Sabtu berikutnya, kami mulai di Monash University BSD di mana Bu Sabina Puspita mengajak kami keliling semua lantai di kampus dan kami juga melihat preparasi Monash University Open Day. Semua workshop AIYA pada hari itu berupa sesi interaktif tentang partnerships dan sponsorship, workshop spesifiktentang komunikasi, dan workshop Aussie Snack Tasting (coba-coba cemilan Aussie) dimana para peserta menebak rasa dan tingkat kadar coklat yang terkandung.

Sabtu itu diakhiri lagi dengan ASEAN-Australia Networking Night yang dimoderasi oleh Stephanie Silalahi. Terima kasih banyak kepada para pembicara kami yang luar biasa! Ibu Anna menerangkan kepada kami mengenai sebetapa penting-nya untuk lanjut kolaborasi dan kerjasama antara Australia dan ASEAN melalui downstreaming business, bertukar ilmu tentang manufaktur kendaraan listik, dan pendanaan. Bapak Luthfi menegaskan penting-nya sejarah dan beliau juga memberi fakta-fakta menarik tentang sistem subak Bali. Bapak Rio Afifudin memberikan wawasan tentang CAUSINDY dan betapa penting-nya itu keterampilan menulis buat memajukan karir kami. Ibu Zurina Moktar memberitahukan kami mengenai ASEAN Young Science Network yang sangat berguna bagi saya dengan jurusan ilmu pengetahuan sosial. Ibu Arumi berbicara tentang komunitas ekonomis ASEAN dan 3 isu utama, yaitu transformasi digital, pembangunan berkelanjutan, dan pertumbuhan inklusif.

Hari terakhir kami diadakan di Perpustakaan Nasional. Kami menyelenggarakan suatu workshop spesifik tentang solusi. Disini kami mendiskusikan apa yang bisa kami tingkatkan secara internal dan eksternal, dan juga brainstorming apa yang bisa dilakukan untuk mengatasi isu-isu ini. Hari ini diakhiri dengan penyerahan sertifikat dan ucapan terima kasih kepada tim AIYA.

Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih banyak kepada semua sponsor, pendukung, dan fasilitator yang telah bantu Kongres tahun ini. Kami tidak mungkin dapat menyelenggarakan konferensi sebesar ini di dua negara tanpa dukungan buat organisasi kami di komunitas Australia-Indonesia.

Terima kasih kepada tim penyelenggara Kongres! Terima kasih khusus untuk Andaleeb, Sekar, dan Hapsa, para penyelenggara Kongres kami, Matthew (Direktur Operasional), Bima (Bendahara), AIYA Victoria, AIYA Jakarta, dan semua sukarelawan AIYA yang telah membantu kami sukses menjalani konferensi ini.

Kami sangat menantikan tahun mendatang ini serta semua peluang baru dan menarik yang akan muncul!

Claudia Wijaya
Presiden Nasional AIYA

AIYA Blog

AIYA Kongres 2024

Article by Claudia Wijaya – AIYA National President

Indonesian translation by Aqsa Suryana – AIYA National Translation Team

Click here for Bahasa Indonesia version.

Every year since 2020, AIYA has been hosting Kongres, our annual conference, in both Australia and Indonesia to bring together our volunteers from different states and provinces to meet in-person, attend cultural workshops, internal upskilling and participate in events. This year, we rearranged our conference to make the most out of the time we had in-person. Therefore, the weekend before on Sunday 25 February 2024 we held a Strategic Planning day to allow each portfolio and chapter to update us on what they have achieved in the past year and what they are planning for the upcoming year. Our Kongres occurred between 1-3 March 2024 in Melbourne, Australia and 8-10 March 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It consisted of our Board of Directors, Chapter Presidents, and Officers from our National and Chapter Teams based in the host cities.

1 – 3 March 2024, Melbourne, Australia

We began on Friday at Monash University Clayton Campus with an opening session and cooking class hosted by Bu Ati from Dapur Indo. We were taught how to make three main dishes that included martabak telor, bakwan, and klepon.

“Not only was the food tasty, but it was a great first opportunity for the AIYA members to work together as a team to create a delicious bounty of food, with Bu Ati’s expertise. With food and laughter, this session was more than just creating meals, but also creating friendships and partnerships.” – Lachlan Cropley (AIYA Culture Coordinator)

Check out our Martabak Tik Tok here!

Later that evening we hosted the ASEAN-Australia Networking Night which was accredited as the first of the many ASEAN-Australia Special Summit events that week. We had speakers from all different fields provide their perspective on the current state and future of the ASEAN-Australia relationship. Thank you to our speakers Leigh Howard, Grant Dooley, Trang Nguyen, Laura Burke, Melissa Conley Tyler, Ruth Stewart, Monash Herb Feith Indonesian Engagement Centre and AASYP for the collaboration.

The Saturday consisted of internal upskilling workshops on marketing, partnerships and sponsorships, grant writing and internal solutions to assist with planning the upcoming year of events, and provide our volunteers with the skills required to execute the upcoming initiatives. These workshops were broken up with a fun Amazing Race to boost spirits and our competitive nature.

That evening was the Indonesian Chill Out Night, hosted by the AIYA Victoria Chapter and emceed by Indonesian-born local actress Miranda Anwar. Chill Out Night consisted of many games, networking and delicious food. The games included asking question bingo, kahoot, and a lucky draw. There was also a special performance by singer and guitarist Nugraha Saputera.

The final day in Melbourne consisted of a final wrap up, presentation of certificates, and a screening of award-winning Australian film ‘The Drover’s Wife’, before we all headed back to our states.

8 – 10 March 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia

Kongres Jakarta began with a lunch at Teras Dharmawangsa where we had our opening remarks and briefing. Then we went to Jakarta Amara Creative Centre and had a dance class where we learnt four dances from Kalimantan, Papua, Sumatera Barat, and Riau.

That evening was spent at the Australian Ambassador’s residence with Deputy Ambassador Stephen Scott as we discussed AIYA, the Australia-Indonesia relationship and what it looks like in the future. Celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year!

The following Saturday began at Monash University BSD where Bu Sabina Puspita gave us a tour of the current levels and the preparation of the Monash University Open Day. The AIYA workshops consisted of an interactive partnerships and sponsorships session, communications workshop and an Aussie Snack Tasting workshop that had participants guessing flavours and the chocolate tiers.

The evening was spent at our ASEAN-Australia Networking Night moderated by Stephanie Silalahi. Thank you to our incredible speakers! Ibu Anna enlightened us on the need to collaborate more between Australia and ASEAN through downstreaming business, exchanging knowledge on electric vehicle manufacturing, and funding. Bapak Luthfi reinforced the importance of history, and provided some interesting facts on the Balinese Subak system. Bapak Rio Afifudin provided insight on CAUSINDY and how important writing is to develop our career. Ibu Zurina Moktar notified us on the ASEAN Young Science Network which was so valuable for me as a social science student. Ibu Arumi informed us on the ASEAN economic community and 3 main issues of digital transformation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

The final day was held at the Perpustakaan Nasional. We held an AIYA solutions workshop to discuss what we can improve on internally and externally, combined with brainstorming what can be done to resolve these issues. To conclude we had a presentation of certificates and thanks to our team.

I would like to personally thank our sponsors, supporters and facilitators. We would not have been able to organise such a big conference across two countries without the support for our organisation within the Australia-Indonesia communities.

Thank you to our Kongres Organising Team! Special thanks to Andaleeb, Sekar, and Hapsa our Kongres Convenors, Matthew (Director of Operations), Bima (National Treasurer), AIYA Victoria, AIYA Jakarta, and all AIYA volunteers that assisted us to make this conference occur.

We are looking forward to this upcoming year and what new and exciting opportunities are to come!

Claudia Wijaya
AIYA National President

AIYA Blog

Spotlight on Hani Nusantari: An Inspiring Woman Contributing to the Australia-Indonesia Relationship

Article by Madeleine Crothers – AIYA National Blog Editor

Indonesian translation by Adolf Richardo – AIYA National Translation Team

Click here for Bahasa Indonesia version.

In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, this piece celebrates Hani Nusantari, an inspiring leader promoting marine conservation and education in rural Indonesia and Australia. Bu Hani is the co-CEO of the JARI Foundation, a local marine conservation non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Lombok, Indonesia. The JARI Foundation aims to support threatened marine ecosystems through research, conservation, ecotourism, education and local community development. Bu Hani has a breadth of international experience, having studied short-term and long-term courses in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Fiji and the United States on education and marine conservation.

About Bu Hani Nusantari

Bu Hani was born in South Sumatra and grew up in East Kalimantan. Her aspirations of becoming a Marine Biologist were ignited at age 13 when she obtained her open-water dive certificate through a school program. In pursuit of her dream of becoming a Marine Biologist, Bu Hani moved to Maluku in East Indonesia to study a Bachelor of Marine Science at Universitas Pattimura: one of only six Universities that offered the course in 1988. This is where Bu Hani met her future husband, Pak Bun, and together they moved to Lombok and established the JARI Foundation.

Bu Hani was motivated to pursue further studies in Environmental Education because of the local children who lacked knowledge of the reef ecosystems where they lived and worked. After learning about available New Zealand scholarships, Bu Hani applied. Being unsuccessful in the first year, she re-applied and was selected as one of ten scholars to complete a Master of Environmental Education and a Graduate Diploma in Science Education at the University of Waikato. During her time in New Zealand, Bu Hani became pregnant with her fifth child. Her supervisor made a strict schedule to ensure she could meet deadlines while managing the pregnancy due to concerns she would not be able to complete her studies. With determination and support from her husband and children, she gained the trust of her supervisor. Bu Hani successfully graduated and raised her child in New Zealand for the first six months of his life.

Relationship with Australia

The JARI Foundation has a close relationship with Australia, being a partner organisation with the Australia Aid Volunteers Program. The JARI Foundation has hosted nine volunteers since 2013. For both volunteers and the organisation, this program has been mutually beneficial in education and cultural exchanges.

The JARI Foundation also successfully received Australian Aid grants for its new ‘Women for Marine Conservation’ initiative. This project provides women the opportunity to learn about and contribute to marine conservation. Firstly, it aims to provide further independence and autonomy for women in rural fishing towns and secondly, this strategy applies Islamic values: that the first school for children is their mother. The idea is that children will benefit as women pass on their knowledge of marine conservation to younger generations.

Not only does Bu Hani educate locals on marine conservation, but she also has an international focus. Bu Hani helped introduce teachers at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Crib Point, Victoria, to a local Indonesian primary school, SDN 3 Sugian in East Lombok. Later, Our Lady of Fatima in Rosebud, Victoria requested a similar initiative and the JARI Foundation matched the school with SDN 8 Sugian, also in East Lombok. Now, the teachers complete an exchange bi-annually, where Bu Hani will go to Australia and teach marine conservation and the Australian teachers to Lombok. Bu Hani’s daughter also supported the sister school project, which motivated her to move to Australia. Currently, she is living in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa and continues to support the partner schools.

The JARI Foundation has also provided three Australian New Colombo Plan Scholarship recipients with long-term internships in Mataram, Lombok, where Australian students have the opportunity to learn and contribute to ecosystem education programs, women’s empowerment and conservation practices in regional Sumbawa.

The JARI Foundation: Women for Marine Conservation Project

Future of JARI Foundation

Bu Hani’s vision is to make the JARI Foundation self-sustaining by developing strong tourism operations as part of the NGO. During the pandemic, the JARI Foundation faced extreme challenges. Bu Hani had purchased a boat for tourism that would take people on the coast of Sumbawa and educate attendees on marine conservation; however, COVID-19 prevented travel and tourism. Later the boat had to be sold due to maintenance costs. Recently, Bu Hani travelled to Australia as an awardee of a Sustainable Tourism Management Short Course by Griffith University, where she visited tourist destinations in Australia and learned from leaders in sustainable tourism. Being inspired by this experience, Bu Hani aims to re-establish the community-based marine ecotourism project and ensure locals actively participate in all stages of its development.

Another challenge faced by JARI was the major earthquake that struck Lombok in 2018. The building and local hub where the organisation would hold meetings with locals for community engagement and research had been demolished. A GoFundMe has been established by an Australian Volunteer to rebuild this space for ongoing research and education.

Hani Nusantari’s work is a testament to the positive effects of international education and the relationship between Australia and Indonesia’s developmental assistance. If Bu Hani could provide advice to young female leaders, it would be to “believe in yourself that you can achieve your goals, surround yourself with mentors, colleagues and friends who will support and encourage your achievements and build networks to learn and respect other cultures and beliefs”.

How Australian and Indonesian Medicine Companies Leverage Distribution in the GCC

Navigating Regulatory Compliance: The Gateway to GCC Market Access

Forging Market Partnerships: Collaborations That Fuel Expansion

Optimized Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation

Research, Technology, and Emerging Skills

Conclusion: A Long-Term View of GCC Engagement

The Decline of Indonesian Language Learning in Australia and What Tall Poppy Syndrome Might Have to Do With It

Malam Budaya Indonesia Pertama Kami

Kongres AIYA 2024

AIYA Kongres 2024

Spotlight on Hani Nusantari: An Inspiring Woman Contributing to the Australia-Indonesia Relationship

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