In January, 16 students from Australia participated in the Development Studies Professional Practicum (DSPP) in Jakarta. The program, which ran from January to February, included students from several prestigious institutions, including the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, Monash University, Griffith University, Murdoch University, University of Newcastle, University of New England, and Deakin University. Thanks to the generous support from the Australian government, many students have the exciting opportunity to attend the program with $4,000 grants from the New Colombo Plan.
We gladly welcome Mr. Antonius Indrianto as the DSPP’s Academic Program Officer. In this central role, he is responsible for guiding the seminars, coordinating engaging field trips, as well as overseeing the placement period for students. Mr. Antonius collaborates closely with the DSPP’s Program Assistant, Tristan Araisya, to ensure that the program runs smoothly and that all students are well taken care of throughout their academic journey.
A Diverse Cohort of Future Development Practitioners
During their first two weeks in Indonesia, students participated in a 40-hour Indonesian language class organised by Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, complemented by a 30-hour insightful seminar. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to visit two sites related to Development Studies, providing them with priceless firsthand understanding. These activities will immerse them in the context of development, enriching their knowledge of the issues at hand. Lastly, we provided two extracurricular activities that served the purpose of introducing Indonesian culture to the students. These included Wayang painting and Batik, as well as an introduction to the Badui cultures from Banten, Indonesia. These activities served not only to educate but also to immerse the students in the vibrant cultural landscape of Indonesia.
The DSPP students had the opportunity to explore Pecinan in Glodok, one of Indonesia’s oldest and most notable Chinatowns. This visit provided a valuable perspective on the complexities of development studies, particularly regarding urbanisation and the preservation of socio-cultural identity. They also visited Kampung Akuarium, a neighbourhood that faced forced eviction by the government in 2016. In response, residents took it upon themselves to rebuild their neighbourhood, creating a model of urban development that reflects community engagement and participatory practices. Their discussions with local communities emphasised the importance of collective action in navigating urban development challenges, proving that community-led initiatives in Indonesia are possible.
Professional Placements: Hands-On Development Experience
After the commencement of the first two weeks of the program, the students are dispersed to each of their placements. Fourteen students are placed in Greater Jakarta, while 2 students are placed in Yogyakarta. The notable host organisations that participate in this cohort are Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) Indonesia, Australia Awards Indonesia, Divers Clean Action, EcoNusa, Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa), Indonesia Australia Partnership for Infrastructure (KIAT), Komisi Nasional Anti Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan (Komnas Perempuan), KONEKSI, Pemberdayaan Perempuan Kepala Keluarga (Pekka), Pujiono Centre, Pusat Riset Ilmu Kepolisian dan Kajian Terorisme (PRIK-KT) Universitas Indonesia, RedR Indonesia, Transparency International Indonesia (TII), Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia (YGSI), and Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (YPII). Acicis expresses sincere gratitude for the collaboration and commitment shown by these organisations in hosting the students.
During their placement period, students had a variety of experiences and opportunities. At EcoNusa, one student travelled to Maluku to observe firsthand how local spices are cultivated, focusing particularly on the supply chain process of nutmeg. At the Australia Awards, another student had the chance to virtually observe the Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador (ILLA) program for 2025 and visited Bali to participate in the PDNP workshop aimed at preparing the 2025 intake of LPDP-Australia Awards Scholarship pre-departure trainees. Meanwhile, a student at DCA explored waste management initiatives in the Thousand Islands, supported by local governments and communities. They also travelled to Cilincing to understand the challenges that local residents face regarding marine pollution and the efforts made by NGOs to tackle this issue. Another student visited North Sumatra and Indramayu to support the YGSI’s Right Here Right Now (RHRN) initiatives. They collected stories showcasing RHRN’s impact on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health rights for diverse youth, including marginalised groups while promoting long-term investments for the demographic bonus.
Future Development Leaders
Every Thursday, students meet with Mr. Anton and Tristan for a weekly catch-up to discuss their experiences during their placement in Indonesia. These sessions are filled with students sharing their stories about how they are adjusting to their new environment, along with the challenges and rewards they have encountered. The catch-ups have been instrumental in helping students adapt to life in Indonesia and in addressing any issues relating to their work and the final task.
The DSPP came to a conclusion on 13 February 2025, marked by a closing ceremony that included staffs from Atma Jaya Catholic University, mentors from the Host Organisation, and the ACICIS team. It was truly rewarding to see everyone’s commitment and effort toward the success of this program. We hope students gain valuable insights and experiences in Indonesia that enhance their cultural awareness and help them tackle real-world development challenges.
Are you passionate about sustainable development, social justice, or community empowerment? DSPP offers a transformative opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute to Indonesia’s dynamic development sector. The next cohort application deadline is on 1 June 2025.
