VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Billy Mambrasar and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams pose after dicussing education in Indonesia (Photo : Billy Doc) -

Voinews, Jayapura, 28 February 2024 — The distinguished Ambassador of Australia to Indonesia, H.E. Penny Williams, convened with the Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Innovation and Education, Mr. Billy Mambrasar, at Swis-Belhotel, Jayapura, Papua Province, on Tuesday (27/02/2024).

This important meeting was marked by a profound exchange on the pivotal role of education in propelling Indonesia's development forward.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (28/02/24), deliberating on the symbiotic relationship between education and progress, both dignitaries explored avenues of collaboration to enhance the human development trajectory of their respective nations.

Their dialogue epitomized the spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit, underscoring the shared commitment to advancing the prosperity and well-being of their people.

Billy Mambrasar started the meeting by sharing his experience, being an Australian Alumnus and an awardee of the Australia Awards in the year of 2013.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Australian Government for the continuous support to Indonesia in so many ways. Indonesia-Australia diplomatic relations was established in 1949. We sure have gone a long way. My first overseas education experience was granted by the Australia Award, and I am forever thankful for the many doors it has led me to,” said Billy who graduated from the Australian National University (ANU) in 2014 with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

“Since President Widodo (Jokowi) appointed me to be his Special Staff in 2019, the mandate has always been clear, to accelerate education and innovation in Indonesia, including in its most outer areas. Therefore, on behalf of Mr. President, I would like to extend my gratitude to Your Excellencies, Mrs. Penny William for your special attention to Papua, as demonstrated through your presence here today,” said Billy.

“Moreover, Mr. President also appreciates the collaborations between Australia and Indonesia for education and human development, through the ongoing projects, such as Invoasi, Prisma, Skala, and many more,” he added.

Billy expresses his excitement about the upcoming “Inovasi” Project and request the Ambassador to accelerate the process, by also having the partnership with the local NGO’s in education, as the form of knowledge transfer from Australia to Indonesia.

Penny Williams appreciates the progress of the development in Papua, and Australia will support in various form of the development cooperation with Indonesia in Papua.

“This is my first official visit to Papua and I am very delighted to be here today with the rest of the Embassy entourage. It is fascinating to see the developments of Papua as a result of continuous collaborations between the Indonesian and the Australian government,” said Penny.

At the closing of the meeting, Penny Williams send his regards to President Joko Widodo, and appreciate all the progress made by the President. The Ambassador also outlines Australia’s commitment to strengthen it’s partnership with Indonesia in the critical development sector, especially in the are of the Energy, Environment, and the Human Development//VOI