Wednesday May 25

The theme of Australia Awards's Alumni Professional Development Activity in manado was ’Tapping the Research Potential’. The focus was on developing skills amongst future research students in Indonesia as well as looking at post-research options for research graduates. The speakers at the PDA were Government of Australia Awards Alumni and presented on the following topics:

• The identification of a suitable research topic
• The process of undertaking research
• The process after research – what’s next for a researcher?

The workshop looked at the importance of research and how high quality research impacts on development in Indonesia. This professional development activity was held for all Australia Awards Alumni throughout Sulawesi free of charge with accommodation included in Manado for two nights. Previous such events have been held in Kupang, Palembang, Makassar, and Bali. There will be two further events in 2011 – Pontianak and Malang.

Background to the Professional Development Activity

Since 2007, AusAID has delivered a conference for Government of Australia (GoA) scholarship alumni. The conferences based in Jakarta focused on mutiple disciplines and utilised alumni as speakers from many different geographic areas of Indonesia.

1. Professional Development Activity description

AusAID has approved a different approach to alumni professional development commencing in 2009. The focus is now upon delivery of up to 12 professional development activities throughout Indonesia over the period 2009-2012. Each activity will be focused upon a specific discipline and will involve alumni within the respective province.

2. Proposed theme of the professional development activity

Australian Scholarships Alumni Workshop – "Tapping the Research Potential" and includes a panel discussion on "How to have your research published"

3. Key objectives of the professional development activity

· To provide participants with tangible examples of factors leading to achievement of successful development outcomes by GoA scholarship alumni;

· To provide at least 50 alumni with this professional development activity;

· To provide selected alumni from other provinces with a model for delivery of similar professional development activities;

· To raise the ADS Program profile within Development amongst ADS alumni;

· To provide a networking opportunity for ADS alumni working in Development.

In short, the PDA's/ Australia Awards Alumni program is designed to help alumni stay in the loop, enhance career prospects, develop social networks and enjoy alumni privileges.

Alumni Activity Feedback?

I am delighted and honoured for the opportunity given to me to share my experiences during undertaking PhD research. It was really great to share with others and also working with Australian Award Alumni people. I think it will be great if Australia Award regularly holds an event regarding PhD research in Australia, so that prospective PhD students have a broad view in preparing their research. Kind regards, Wati (speaker)

For me, the workshop was really interesting and was a motivation for me to write and submit my research in international journals. I met with many young researchers and bright colleagues, as well as my friends from my previous uni. Lukman Nadjamuddin (participant)

It was a valuable n unforgetable meeting in Manado. I also met friends from Haluleo Univ after 11 years we haven't seen each other. Thank you very much for your appreciation. I'm proud to be part of Australia alummi. Cheers, Ayu (speaker)

The Professional Development Activities (Alumni workshops) and reach out to Alumni in the provinces will continue for the benefit of the more than 4000 alumni spread throughout Indonesia. This number grows every year by 350 alumni.