VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Scholarships awardees takes picture with the Ambassador of Australia to Indonesia in Jakarta - 

The recipients of ten special Australia Awards scholarships celebrating Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara, commenced their studies at Monash University Indonesia this week.

The Australia Awards Nusantara Scholarships were announced jointly by the President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Australia at their Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Australia in July. The scholarships are provided by the Australian Government for Indonesian scholars to study at Monash University Indonesia in fields relevant to the development of the new capital.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (05/10/23), the Nusantara scholars are established professionals working in a variety of fields across the public and private sectors throughout Indonesia. They will study in a range of Masters programs, including Public Policy and Management, Business Innovation, Cyber Security and Public Health.

“Education has the power to transform individuals, communities and nations. Australia is delighted that the Nusantara Scholars will commence their studies at Monash University Indonesia this week,” said the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM. “Each of these talented individuals will receive a world-class Australian education right here in Indonesia, equipping them with knowledge, skills and networks to contribute to Indonesia’s new capital.” 

The Nusantara awardees were selected from a competitive field of more than 500 applicants by a panel made up of Indonesian and Australian academics, and representatives of the New Capital Authority (Otoritas IKN). Scholars were chosen for their potential to become global leaders and agents of change, with the professional, personal and academic potential to contribute to Indonesia’s development. 

Monash University established the first Australian university campus in Indonesia in 2020. The Nusantara scholars will study for up to two years at Monash University Indonesia and will also attend leadership training in Australia//VOI

Deputy for National Library Resource Development, Adin Bondar interviewed by national tv station after press conference -

The highest appreciation deserves to be given to individuals or parties who have shown high dedication to the utilization of libraries and literacy in the country. This was given in the 2023 Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka award.

Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka is the highest appreciation from the government through the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) to the community, both individuals, groups and institutions who have succeeded in increasing literacy and the love of reading actively, effectively and innovatively through library utilization.

The award winners from the eight Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka 2023 categories will be awarded specifically at the Gemilang Library night at Grha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Wednesday (11/10/2023).

Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka was awarded to winners in the categories of Public Official, Community, Literacy Activist, Mass Media, Journalist, Preserver of Ancient Manuscripts, Best Book (Pustaka), and Lifetime Achievement.

Apart from that, on the Gemilang Library night, awards were also given from competitions and contests held by the National Library such as the National Best Achievement Librarian competition, Best SMA/SMK/MA Library, Best College Library Practice, and Local Content Based Applied Literacy Competition.

In a press conference ahead of Gemilang Library 2023 on Friday (06/10/23), Deputy for National Library Resource Development Adin Bondar was present accompanied by the Head of the Center for Library Information Services and Archipelago Manuscript Management (Pujasintara) Agus Sutoyo, as well as the Head of the Human Resources and General Bureau Janti Suksmarini.

Deputy Adin said the Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka award was not just a ceremony. This appreciation from the National Library is an implementation of the 1945 Constitution which mandates that one of the state's goals is to educate the nation's children.

"The government is obliged to give awards for movements to cultivate a love of reading to individuals, groups or institutions that have succeeded in increasing reading habits in society through the use of libraries," said Deputy Adin in front of the media crew, Friday (6/10/2023).

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, with an edutainment concept, Gemilang Library 2023 has the theme "Gemilang Library, Advanced Literacy, Advanced Indonesia". It is stated that this theme reflects the spirit of library transformation to build national literacy with the inclusiveness of library services so as to create the quality of Indonesian society which is independent, creative and innovative.

"Libraries play a role in increasing human literacy through library transformation," he added.

The library transformation presented is not only in the form of digital service activities, such as BintangPusnas, e-Resources, Indonesia One Search (iOS), iPusnas, Khastara, to the Digital Reading Corner (POCADI), but also in the community entrepreneurship incubator program through library transformation based on social inclusion (TPBIS).

Meanwhile, the Head of Pujasintara, Agus Sutoyo, said that libraries are currently inclusive, where every community can use the library which is expected to improve welfare.

"This concept is directly related to the important role of libraries in social inclusion. Library collections must be able to be applied and transformed into applied knowledge that is beneficial to society," he said.

It is said that the success of TPBIS lies in its ability to increase society's ability to produce goods and services.

"Every year, this program continues to be developed by exploring the potential of libraries, not only in food production, animal husbandry or fisheries, but also in the arts and culture fields which can be an important resource for Indonesia's progress," he said.

Gemilang Libraries 2023 will be attended by a number of ministers/heads of institutions, Governors, Regents, Mayors, working partners of Commission libraries, academic community, and society.

Gemilang Library 2023 can be watched online on October 11 2023 at 18.30-21.30 WIB via the National Library's YouTube channel and the Zoom Meeting application with a capacity of 10,000 people.
The highlight of the 2023 Gemilang Library will be the performance of Setia Band, a band from Bandung led by Charly van Houten//VOI

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan - 

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is visiting Indonesia on 1-2 October 2023 to announce the launch of the second phase of the UK’s support for   Indonesia’s Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) with the Minister for National Development Planning, Suharso Monoarfa.

This £27.2m of new UK funding will foster sustainable economic growth and development through training and capability building, science-based policy development, and piloting innovative low-carbon technologies.

While in Jakarta, Minister Trevelyan will also meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, to discuss global and regional security, and Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, to discuss economic cooperation and progress under the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP).

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, Minister Trevelyan will also meet ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn to reaffirm the UK’s respect for ASEAN centrality and commitment to its role as a Dialogue Partner.

“Indonesia’s thriving economy and capacity for innovation bring ever greater opportunities for our two countries to work together, from trade and investment to science and tech cooperation. The Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) will ensure Indonesia’s economic growth is sustainable and resilient against the impacts of climate change, delivering benefits for people in the UK, Indonesia and across the Indo-Pacific.” UK Minister for Indo Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said. 

Meanwhile, British Charge d’Affaires Matthew Downing explained that they are delighted to welcome Minister Trevelyan to Indonesia.  Her visit is a clear demonstration of the UK’s long term commitment to working with Indonesia across a broad range of areas, including low carbon, green growth and economic development. 

"The £27.2 million of new UK funding for the second phase of the Low Carbon Development Initiative will support the Indonesian Government in reducing emissions and help it achieve its target to be Net Zero by 2060 or sooner. We look forward to working with Indonesia in realising that ambition as we deepen our relationship for many years to come”, Downing added//VOI

Head of the National Library, M. Syarif Bando check the new Library in Polewalimandar - 

This magnificent three-story building worth Rp. 10 billion, sourced from DAK in 2022, apart from being equipped with a reading room, is also equipped with facilities such as an elderly reading room, diorama room, audio-visual room, outdoor reading room, digital room and lactation room.

“We deliberately placed it in the Sports Center area. In public areas. So, for example, people who want to rest after exercising can visit. "Anyone can fill their free time by reading in the library," said Polewali Mandar Regent Andi Ibrahim Masdar at the inauguration of the Polewali Mandar regional public library building accompanying the Head of the National Library Muhammad Syarif Bando, Friday, (29/9/2023).

After its inauguration, the Regent promised to plan to accelerate the increase in the literacy index by building 10 soundproof reading gazebos and a literacy cafe.

On the occasion as a keynote speaker, Syarif Bando said that there are at least four factors that cause poverty. First, access to knowledge is lacking. Second, minimal innovation and creativity skills. Third, access to capital is very, very limited, and fourth, the culture of laziness is still a habit.

When we think that this problem can be handled with education, then place the library as the heart of education. However, often we actually place the foundation of our education through diplomas and credits.

"As a result, many undergraduate graduates receive high passing scores but are unable to do much to address problems in society. "Because their mindset after graduating is looking for work, not creating jobs," said Syarif Bando.

"We cannot measure the quality of someone's knowledge using a diploma. But measure your knowledge by your reading habits. From there, various technologies were born that are useful for the life of the universe. There is no transfer of theory and practice from books to the brain except by reading," explained the Head of National Library.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, in the talk show session, Chairman of the DPRD Polewali Mandar Jupri Mahmud admitted that currently the legislative and executive circles have the same frequency that libraries are fundamental to improving the condition of the Polman community. There is no reason for regions not to support it because legal laws through laws and Government Regulations (PP) regarding libraries already exist.

"We too, since 2021 have had regional regulations regarding the operation of libraries," explained Jupri.

Jupri understands that if the quality of literacy is lacking, there will be no significant progress in an area. Therefore, his party will agree to the Regent's proposal which requires a reading gazebo and literacy cafe to accelerate the literacy index in Polman.

During the recess period, members of the DPRD also received requests to build community reading parks and book collections in the villages. This request has been sought by the public since 2020.

"But we encountered obstacles because the rules or information system that accommodates the program does not yet exist.

"In fact, regional conditions require encouragement or a pick-up program because many regions experience conditions where people are less interested in reading," said Jupri again.

Meanwhile, Perahu Pustaka mobile library activist Muhammad Ridwan Alimuddin added that statistically, Indonesia is one of the countries that has the most libraries.

However, as stated by the Director of the National Library, access to reading materials is not yet adequate.

"Take for example a school library where the library room has been converted into a sports equipment warehouse. "Even if there is a collection of books, the books are left piled up, dusty, and still wrapped in plastic," explained Alimuddin.

Alimuddin is grateful that the existence of mobile libraries is strongly supported by the National Library. And of course it really provides motivation for mobile literacy activists.
However, he hopes for concrete support, for example support from regional libraries to facilitate writers in Polman regarding manuscript reviews and ISBN management.

"So that science can continue to produce through the literacy ecosystem that is being built," concluded Alimuddin.

The talkshow session also presented academic speakers from Al Syariah Mandar University, Ahmad Al Yakin, and National Library Main Librarian Abdullah Sanneng.

On the same occasion, Regent Andi also confirmed Jumriah Ibrahim as Mother of Literacy for Poliwali Mandar Regency for the 2022-2023 period//VOI