The Journalism Professional Practicum (JPP) 2025 brought 16 students from universities across Australia and New Zealand to Jakarta for an intensive introduction to Indonesia’s media landscape. Participants came from La Trobe University, Monash University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Western Australia, the University of Sydney, the University of Canterbury, the University of Queensland, the University of New South Wales, Murdoch University, the University of Technology Sydney, and the University of Melbourne. Nine students were supported through New Colombo Plan funding, enabling them to take part in the program.
Academic activities were coordinated by Academic Program Officer Ms Ria Ernunsari, who led a program that balanced classroom learning with direct industry exposure. Students joined a series of seminars, three delivered online and three held in person at Atma Jaya Catholic University’s Semanggi campus covering journalism practice, media ethics, and the realities of reporting in Indonesia. The seminars were complemented by visits to CNN Indonesia and Voice of Indonesia Radio Republik Indonesia (VoI RRI), where students observed newsroom workflows and engaged with journalists working in broadcast and digital media.
Language and cultural training formed a key part of the program. Through 24 hours of intensive online classes and 16 hours of in-country instruction at Atma Jaya Catholic University, students strengthened their Indonesian language skills and cultural understanding. This training proved essential as they transitioned into their practicum placements, allowing them to communicate more confidently in professional settings and navigate daily life in Jakarta.
Over four weeks, students were placed with seven professional placement organisations across the Jakarta city: Perludem, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), CNN Indonesia, Magdalene.co, The Jakarta Post, Tempo, and Kantor Berita Radio (KBR). Working alongside editors, reporters, and researchers, students contributed to a range of editorial and research tasks while gaining first-hand insight into political reporting, investigative journalism, and independent media in Indonesia.
The program concluded on 24 December with a closing ceremony attended by staff from Atma Jaya Catholic University, mentors from the host organisations, and members of the ACICIS team. The event marked the end of an intensive and rewarding program, reflecting the strong partnerships that underpin JPP and the commitment of all those involved in supporting the next generation of journalists.
Sampai jumpa lagi di Indonesia!
Learn more about the Journalism Professional Practicum (JPP) here
