VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Dozens of Indonesian student alumni studying in New Zealand inaugurated the alumni organization in Jakarta on Saturday (27/1). This organization, called the New Zealand-Indonesia (NZID) Alumni Association, was founded with the assistance of the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta. The organization's launch was held at the Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta, along with an alumni networking dinner.

New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Kevin Burnett, delivered remarks to alumni who attended offline and online. Kevin said the main aim of this association was to create a space for New Zealand alumni to connect.

"The primary objective of this New Zealand-Indonesia Alumni Association is to create space and opportunity for New Zealand alumni to connect with each other and contribute to the Indonesia-New Zealand shared interests in a collaborative and impactful way," said Kevin.

Kevin added that people-to-people relationships with New Zealand neighbors and partners are critical in all aspects of people's lives in the country. According to him, relationships between people are the breath of international partnerships between New Zealand and other countries. For this reason, Kevin welcomed the presence of New Zealand alumni at the event.

Kevin added that previously an interim alumni leadership team had been formed in August 2023 to form the association. This is based on recommendations from alumni in a meeting facilitated by the New Zealand embassy. Jan Ramos Pandia was elected as interim leader until the association's next presidential election, which is scheduled to take place next year.

"A strong alumni platform that can facilitate networking and strengthen relations between New Zealand and Indonesia is a very important mechanism," Kevin continued.

This launch is part of New Zealand Alumni Day, an alumni gathering event that consists of events such as scholarship exhibitions and alumni discussions. The discussion featured several prominent New Zealand alumni, including former Director of MRT Jakarta, William Sabandar. (VOI/Rama)