VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Adin on the talk show Increasing the Community Literacy Index - 

In the book Literacy Of Life it is said that public literacy is correlated with economic growth in a country. It is believed that the impact of strong literacy will result in lower crime, higher social awareness and increased life chances.

This was conveyed by the Deputy for National Library Resource Development, Adin Bondar, when attending the inauguration of the regional management of the Indonesian Librarian Association (PD IPI) Jambi Province and the talk show Increasing the Community Literacy Index, Tuesday (17/10/2023).

“No developed country has people who don't read. "Everything is knowledge-based," said Adin.

Therefore, the development of human qualities must remain consistently strengthened. One way is through literacy.
When people read, continued Adin, a transfer of knowledge will occur. Knowledge does not stop with one person. Because when reading becomes a habit, human cognition is suddenly active so that they are encouraged to produce innovation and creativity which leads to productivity.

Learning activities are not always obtained in a formal environment. But it can also be done through non-formal education, such as libraries.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, Jambi Governor's Expert Staff for Social and Religious Affairs of the Jambi Province Muktamar Hamdi, believes that human quality is one of the big problems in Jambi.

So, it is not surprising that the poverty rate in Jambi is quite high, namely 6.7%. Therefore, the Jambi government has included improving human resources in the vision and mission of Jambi Mantap.

“Our big problem is the quality of human resources. "And three things that need to be considered are infrastructure to reduce logistics costs, improve bureaucracy, and develop human resources," added Handi.

If economic growth is consistent in 2045, Indonesia will become a developed country. It is predicted that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will be around IDR 9.8 trillion, below China, America and India.

Currently, the Jambi provincial government has the DUMISATU program (2 billion 1 district/city). This program encourages accelerated educational improvement so that conditions for the transfer of knowledge remain guaranteed.

The lack of literacy skills, especially among students, is certainly a problem. Chairman of LP2M UIN STS Jambi Ayub Mursalin called it the heart of university or heart of education. Therefore, the existence of libraries as the heart of education should not be ignored.

"If the library doesn't develop, then the others won't develop either," explained Ayub.

If the physical development of the building is inadequate, Ayub suggests taking advantage of the library's digital services. This should no longer be a reason for users to come to the library.

Education and libraries are like trees and roots. The roots are not visible but they are able to support them with their strength, said the appointed Chairman of the PD IPI Jambi Province, Hasudungan Ambarita.

National Library's attention to the province of Jambi is shown in the form of assistance for the construction of public library service buildings in the cities of Sungai Banyak and Batanghari to the expansion of the building using special allocation funds (DAK), stimulants for mobile library cars in the amount of 25 units in all districts/cities in Jambi Province, 9 units in Corner Digital Reading (POCADI) as well as assistance for the needs of Social Inclusion Based Library Transformation (TPBIS)//VOI

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