Background
MOU Signing
On 15th June 2021 the Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) in Sydney hosted a Memorandum of Understanding virtual signing ceremony between the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta and University of Technology Sydney. This first-of-its-kind MoU represented a strong foundation upon which specific joint programs can seed collaborations between Indonesia and Australia.
The Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Jerry Sambuaga delivered his address live from Jakarta to attendees watching from a screen. The signed MoU were presented by Mr. Iain Watt, Deputy Vice Chancellor of UTS International and Mr. Didi Sumedi, Director General of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade, Republic of Indonesia.
This agreement originated from several discussions initiated by ITPC Sydney, UTS FASS Global Studies and DAB School of Design. All parties plan to find innovative ways to expand and promote mutual interests to establish international cooperation via the Indonesia Sustainable Design House Program.
Press Coverage
Antara News \ Bisnis.com \ Issuu \ Kontan \ Media Sumutku \ Republika \ Sariagri \ SiapGrak
How It Started
Ayu Siti Maryam
Director of ITPC Sydney, 2019-2022
Trade agreement between Indonesia and Australia has moved to the next level with the signing of IA CEPA in 2021, with both countries enjoying zero tariffs for almost all products.
But how to make sure the best use of this agreement rather than forging a positive environment that encourages trade? There are many factors influencing countries’ trading relationships, with first and foremost being understanding both countries’ cultures, values and practices. And what better way to understand these rather than through education and building relationships?
It is with this view that we envisioned this collaboration with UTS, which will forge a closer relationship to wider stakeholders, especially to the younger generation which holds the key to the future’s economy and ultimately, trade between the countries.
Collaboration with educational institutions in Australia is one of our strategies undertaken to expand our relationships beyond business. We are proud to collaborate with UTS, a leading university in Australia and we are delighted to welcome students of FASS and Designs to ITPC Sydney.
Kestity Pringgoharjono
Program Coordinator
Often a great relationship starts with a simple introduction. Our humble conversation in January 2021 has brought to me the privilege of working with great people from two different worlds. One of an international government trade agency where market access opens up opportunities for different industries, and the other, a progressive university, where research nourishes the great minds.
What could be more satisfying than working in two worlds which share a drive for sustainability?
With the Indonesia Sustainable Design House program we learn that businesses, small and big, are sustainability achievers in their fields, with each one having incredibly amazing stories to share. Their obstacles and hardships have inspired them to create impacts, not only to their businesses but also create opportunities for communities. To me, this is what real business success is about, it's where entrepreneurship plays a significant part in bringing social change.
In this program, we build bridges between Australia and Indonesia by bringing about awareness of stories that really capture the hearts and imaginations.
And, as with any sustainable businesses, it is my wish that this program continues to make connections, to grow, and to evolve. And as so my role as program coordinator, is to build more bridges to connect different fields, minds, cultures and practices.
Prof. Lesley Harbon
Professor, FASS, UTS
In a 2019 Monash University publication, Talking North (Paul S. Thomas, Ed.), my chapter contribution was to share observations from a period of over 50 years that there are “webs” that silently bring people together who are interested in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. It was indeed a glistening strand of a wider network’s web that brought me into contact with Mrs Kestity Pringgoharjono and Ms Ayu Siti Maryam. Ms Ayu’s position as Director of the Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Trade’s Sydney outreach office, the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), had seen her establish the exciting new shop-front at 7 Macquarie Place, Sydney, NSW, right at the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District.
However the ITPC remained hidden, and thus it was Mrs Kestity and Ms Ayu’s aim to bring this jewel in the Ministry’s crown to the attention, not only of passers-by, but also of the wider Australian business and educational community. It was my chance meeting with Mrs Kesty and Ms Ayu which forged initial conversations, followed by planning, and now a university UTS_ITPC partnership, fostering people-to-people collaborations, undergraduate university academic scholarship and learning, along with business and trade promotion spin-offs.
The first idea to come to fruition, under the leadership of Dr Kristine Aquino, Senior Lecturer in the UTS School of International Studies and Education, is the final year undergraduate internship project for students enrolled in their capstone subject for the Bachelor of Global Studies degree. Seven students were partnered with Small Medium Enterprise Indonesian business owners. UTS students researched the business, the products, conducted interviews, and produced case studies which will be uploaded to the ITPC website. They heard from significant voices in the Indonesian business community, brought to them via a Zoom Webinar series, and curated by Mrs Kestity and Ms Ayu.
Unexpected outcomes were for UTS undergraduates to speak directly with ministerial staff, and gain experience presenting to high level audiences. Women role-models in business were evident, and particularly appreciated by the undergraduate students who were preparing resumes and job applications.
In 2023 not only will the next cohort of Global Studies interns be offered this experience with ITPC, but also, under the leadership of Associate Professor Alexandra Crosby from the UTS Design Architecture Building Faculty, students in design communication degrees will be offered a similar experience with a focus on design, as well as an in-country experience.
No doubt the “webs” will continue to be woven as the next generations of supporters of the Australia-Indonesia relationship based at UTS-ITPC progress through their degrees and careers.
