Taking a break from Covid-19 news, this is a story on Sukma Bowling, a kid from Jakarta’s slums who is now running cattle on King Island. He doesn’t  rock the typical Akubra and boots farmer looks though.

Read more 

In the news     

  • Important update to those travelling to Indonesia, the country has suspended visa-free and visa-on-arrival arrangements for one month to curb the spread of Covid-19. More info here. (Straits Times)
  • Should Australia rethink its dependency on China? Greg Earl’s article explores how Covid-19 reveals a need for Australian exports beyond China, security plans for epidemics and supply-chain smarts. Check it out here. (The Interpreter)
  • As Covid-19 has taken a central stage in the discourse in Indonesia, it is paramount to communicate the risk related to the disease without fuelling anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia. It appears xenophobic responses targeting Chinese communities in several countries have risen prompting the need to implement strategic communication to curb racist sentiment. (The Conversation)
  • As more Indonesians are aware of the spread of Covid-19, Indonesian health tech apps are experiencing a surge in downloads. Have you used health-related apps recently to learn about the virus? Ursula Florene discusses. (KrAsia)
  • As more and more countries are closing down school to curb the spread of Covid-19, the lack of internet access in Southeast Asia poses challenges for students to study online amid the pandemic. The need to address the digital divide in Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, is now more pertinent than ever before. (The Conversation)
  • Indonesia has prepared its beef supply early from Australia in anticipation for Ramadan and the spike in meat consumption. Wonder how IA-CEPA aids the trade? This Jakarta Post discusses. (The Jakarta Post)

 

In the blog

  • It’s that time again to learn more about the lives of those behind AIYA. This week, let’s meet Event Officer of AIYA Jakarta, Rebekah Smith 

 

 

Events

 

AIYA event guide during COVID-19 outbreak

Based on guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as taking into

consideration recommendations from the Australian and Indonesian Governments:

all AIYA events will be postponed until further notice.

 

Opportunities

Please double-check the availability of the opportunities advertised, as many will be cancelled as a result of COVID-19. 

  • Applications for the new Hamer Scholarships Program will open until 29 March 2020. The program has been revamped with a sharpened business focus and offers Victorians working in Victorian businesses the opportunity to undertake 5-6 months of intensive language study in China, Japan, Korea or Indonesia while delivering an in-market business project. Scholarships are worth $10,000 for China and Indonesia and $15,000 for Japan and Korea. Eligibility criteria and the new program guidelines can be found here.
  • 2020 Research Grants – call for proposals. The 2020 ANU Indonesia Project and The SMERU Research Institute Research Grants program is now open. The research grants will provide funding between AU$5000 to AU$15,000 for research projects of up to 12 months. Application deadline: 31 March 2020. Detailed information and application form download.
  • 2020 Research Travel Grants – call for applications. ANU Indonesia Project is offering the tenth round of travel grants in 2020 to individual students undertaking or planning to undertake research for which they would benefit from traveling to Indonesia. Up to $5000 for each recipient will be awarded. The deadline of application is 31 March 2020. Further information and application form download.
  • Do you want to be a leader in your field and join an inspiring network of changemakers? Apply today for the Australia Awards Postgraduate Scholarships (open to Indonesian nationals) and gain a world-class education and become a leader for development. Applications close on 30 April 2020.
  • ACICIS is inviting all of its alumni to join the all-new alumni platform. It is packed with new features such as alumni directory, jobs and opportunities page, events page, interest-group pages, as well as other exciting features that will be added regularly. To sign-up, please visit their alumni website here.
  • Inside Indonesia publishes original pieces on a wide range of political, social, environmental and cultural issues in Indonesia. They accept articles from a diverse range of people who have an interest in Indonesia. To find out how to contribute, click here.

 

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