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Indonesian teaching strengthened

Monash has signed an agreement formalising its cooperation with the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) and the Victorian Department of Education and Training to further the teaching of Indonesian language and culture in rural Victoria.

From left: Professor Fakry Gaffar, Professor Richard Larkins and Ms Sue Christophers.

The agreement was signed on 12 July at Monash's Clayton campus by UPI rector Professor Fakry Gaffar; Department of Education and Training general manager, international, Ms Sue Christophers; and Monash vice-chancellor Professor Richard Larkins.

Through the collaboration, graduates from the English department at UPI will be trained as part of a program called ‘Provision of teacher assistants in Indonesian language and culture for Victorian schools'. The program was initiated by the convenor of the Indonesian Studies Program at Monash, Mr Bas Koesasi.

Professor Larkins said the arrangement was a great initiative that would provide teacher assistants to help with Indonesian language and culture studies in Victorian schools.

"It will also provide training and research opportunities for Indonesian teachers at Monash. Building links such as these with Indonesia is of great importance for Monash, Victoria and Australia," Professor Larkins said.

Each year, about 20 graduates will be trained to assist in the teaching of Indonesian language and culture to students at state schools in rural Victoria. The graduates will start their year-long stay in Australia by participating in an orientation program at Monash.

The program grew out of the belief that language is intrinsically linked to culture and that the two should therefore be taught together.