Ten New Indonesian Schools Join Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE Program
Jakarta, 8th August 2024 – Ten Indonesian schools officially joined the Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnership Program during the Record of Understanding hybrid ceremony in Jakarta, marking a key moment in the educational collaboration between the two nations. The BRIDGE program, which stands for Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement, has been connecting schools in Indonesia and Australia for 16 years.
This year’s cohort will bring the total number of partnerships to 253, further strengthening the ties between Indonesian and Australian schools. The BRIDGE program is aimed at building intercultural understanding and global competence, pedagogical competences and positive views.
Two teachers from each o new BRIDGE schools will visit and stay with their partner schools in Australia, deepening the connections between the two countries. Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM, praised the program, saying, “The BRIDGE program builds connections between people and communities in Indonesia and Australia. I wish our new BRIDGE school participants all the best as they take up this unique opportunity.”
Chloe Ashbolt, Counsellor Public Affairs at the Australian Embassy Jakarta, also congratulated the schools on joining the BRIDGE community during the ceremony.
The schools selected for the 2024 BRIDGE cohort are:
Indonesian Schools
Madrasah Muallimaat Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta
MAN 11 Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta
MA Pesantren Terpadu Al Fauzan, East Java
MINU KH. Mukmin Sidoarjo, East Java
SD Islam Harapan Ibu, Jakarta
SD Smart Auladi, West Java
SMP Laboratorium UM Malang, East Java
SD Islam Kreatif Mutiara Anak Sholeh, East Java
SD Kristen Citra Bangsa, East Nusa Tenggara
SMPN 6 Langke Rembong, East Nusa Tenggara
Australian Schools
Narrogin Senior High School, Western Australia
Mount Erin College, Western Australia
Trinity College Colac, Victoria
Lara Secondary College, Victoria
Franklin Primary School, Tasmania
Evandale Primary School, Tasmania
Latrobe High School, Tasmania
Kilkenny Primary School, South Australia
Darwin Languages Centre, Northern Territory
Girraween Primary School, Northern Territory
Funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF), the BRIDGE program plays an important role in public diplomacy between Australia and Indonesia and establishes sustainable school partnerships.
