Australia–Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program Launches 2026 Partnerships
- Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnership Program
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Australia–Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program has formally launched its 2026 cohort, announcing twenty schools that will take part in ten new bilateral partnerships across Australia and Indonesia.
Delivered online, the Welcome Event brought together educators, government representatives and program partners to mark the commencement of the 2026 program year and introduce the schools and teachers selected to participate. The BRIDGE program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by Asialink Education at the University of Melbourne.
The session was hosted by Lisa Hayman, Director of Asialink Education, who welcomed participants from both countries and outlined the objectives of the program. An Acknowledgement of Country recognised the Traditional Custodians of lands and waters across Australia and extended respect to the diverse Indigenous peoples of Indonesia, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on learning grounded in respect, relationships and intercultural understanding.
Rachel Thompson, CEO of Asialink, acknowledged DFAT’s ongoing support for the BRIDGE program and welcomed distinguished guests from both governments and education sectors.
Senior representatives from Australia and Indonesia shared congratulatory remarks, highlighting the importance of education partnerships in strengthening long-term people-to-people connections and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Mr Rod Brazier, Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, described the BRIDGE program as central to the relationship between the two countries.
“There is no relationship more important for Australia than our relationship with Indonesia,” Mr Brazier said.
“The BRIDGE Partnerships Program is exactly that, a bridge, or jembatan, between our two countries. BRIDGE promotes the exchange of knowledge, culture, experience, and language. It strengthens the people-to-people connections that sit at the heart of the Australia–Indonesia partnership.”
Reflecting on his recent visits to BRIDGE schools in Indonesia, Mr Brazier added:
“I’ve seen this in action, in the collaboration between schools and the real impact on student learning.”
Watch Ambassador Rod Brazier’s message:
His Excellency Dr Siswo Pramono, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia, emphasised the long-standing significance of the BRIDGE program in strengthening education and friendship between young people in both countries.
“The BRIDGE program has been with us for almost 20 years,” Dr Pramono said.
“It promotes building relationships through intercultural dialogues and growing engagement.”
He also acknowledged the scale and impact of the initiative over nearly two decades.
“The program has created more than 260 school partnerships. It has connected almost 1,000 teachers and involved thousands of students in Indonesia and Australia.”
Dr Pramono paid tribute to participating educators, recognising the important role teachers play in building understanding between cultures.
“You are not only educators, you are bridges — the bridge between our cultures and the bridge between our nations.”
Watch Ambassador Dr Siswo Pramono’s message:
A key feature of the event was the announcement of the 2026 Australia–Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships. Ten Indonesian schools and ten Australian schools were confirmed, representing metropolitan, regional and remote communities across both countries. The selected partnerships span primary, secondary and specialist education settings and involve a total of 37 teachers.
2026 Australia–Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships
SMK Telkom Sidoarjo × Aveley Secondary College
MAN 2 Kota Malang × Purnululu Aboriginal Independent Community School
MTsN 3 Jakarta Selatan × Darwin High School
MI Istiqlal Jakarta × Dunalley Primary School
Madrasah Aliyah Citra Cendekia × Busselton Senior High School
SD Palm Kids Palembang × East Manjimup Primary School
SMAN Sumatera Selatan × Northern Territory School of Distance Education
SD Ihsaniyah 1 Kota Tegal × Redpa Primary School
SD Newton Global School × Humpty Doo Primary School
SMA Unggul Del × Kingston High School
Each partnership pairs schools to collaborate throughout the program year through professional learning, joint projects and sustained educator-to-educator engagement. Participating teachers will take part in partnership planning, online collaboration and immersion programs in both Australia and Indonesia, creating opportunities to deepen educational practice and intercultural capability.
During the launch event, participating teachers were introduced to one another through structured partnership discussions focused on sharing school contexts, identifying areas of interest and exploring future collaboration opportunities.
Speaking during the event, Wiefren Anggreini from SD Newton Global School reflected on the broader value of intercultural learning and collaboration through BRIDGE.
“Programs like BRIDGE remind us that education is not only about academic achievement, but also about building understanding, empathy, and genuine human connection,” she said.
Drawing on a Javanese proverb, she highlighted the importance of learning through lived experience.
“There’s a famous saying in Javanese which means that knowledge is attained through real experiences in life. Learning should extend beyond classroom walls, and I believe that is the philosophy the BRIDGE School Partnerships Program fosters.”
Ms Anggreini also shared her excitement about the opportunities for collaboration between Indonesian and Australian educators.
“We are excited to start this journey together, especially for Indonesian and Australian teachers to have opportunities to learn together, exchange teaching practices, and develop meaningful projects collaboratively.”
The event also provided an overview of the BRIDGE program journey, including key milestones, professional learning opportunities and available resources. Participants were encouraged to engage with the BRIDGE website, which offers case studies, teaching resources and guidance to support partnership delivery.
The launch of the 2026 cohort marks the beginning of another cycle of collaboration under the Australia–Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program. Through sustained engagement between schools, teachers and students, the program continues to strengthen education links and deepen understanding between Australia and Indonesia.
