Australian Consul-General Renews #AussieBanget Partnership with Undiknas, Highlights Australia-Indonesia Ties

The renewed partnership will keep the #AussieBanget Corner active at Undiknas through 2028 while strengthening opportunities for students to learn about Australia, scholarships, and bilateral relations.

DENPASAR, BALI — Australian Consul-General in Bali Ms. Jo Stevens visited Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (Undiknas) in Denpasar on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, to renew the university’s #AussieBanget Corner (ABC) partnership and deliver a guest lecture on Australia-Indonesia relations.

During the visit, Stevens met with Undiknas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Nyoman Sri Subawa before jointly renewing the mutual arrangement for the #AussieBanget Corner for the 2026–2028 period.

The partnership is designed to continue Australia-themed educational activities on campus and provide students with greater access to information about Australia, including opportunities to pursue higher education there.

Australian Consul-General in Bali Ms. Jo Stevens joins Undiknas representatives and partners for the renewal of the #AussieBanget Corner partnership, strengthening educational ties and opportunities for students to learn more about Australia.

The #AussieBanget Corner program provides dedicated spaces at Indonesian universities where students can explore Australian culture, education, learning resources, and information about study opportunities. Undiknas established its corner in 2022 with support from the Australian Consulate-General in Bali.

The renewed arrangement also reinforces the longstanding educational links between Australia and Undiknas. In a previous engagement at the university, Stevens and Rector Subawa had discussed opportunities for further cooperation between the two sides, including educational partnerships.

Following the renewal ceremony, Stevens delivered a public lecture focusing on Australia-Indonesia bilateral relations. She outlined Australia’s role in the region and highlighted the broad scope of cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

“Indonesia and Australia are close friends, neighbours and partners. Our cooperation spans every sector, including trade, education, development, and security,” Stevens said.

She also pointed to common challenges and opportunities facing both countries, including climate change and regional stability.

“We face many of the same challenges and opportunities, such as climate change and regional stability, and working closely together will help us meet these challenges,” she said.

Stevens further emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections in sustaining relations between Australia and Indonesia, particularly through education.

“Connections between people are the foundation of our close relationship, including in education, with 25,000 Indonesians studying in Australia last year and many Australian students coming to Indonesia through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Program,” Stevens said.

Australian Consul-General in Bali Ms. Jo Stevens poses with Undiknas students, faculty members, and partners following the renewal of the #AussieBanget Corner partnership, celebrating stronger educational ties and people-to-people connections between Australia and Indonesia.

The Australian Consul-General in Bali has previously highlighted education, people-to-people connections, and cooperation between Australia and Indonesia as important elements of the bilateral relationship. Stevens has served as Australia’s Consul-General in Bali since 2023, representing Australia in Bali as well as West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.

The guest lecture was followed by an information session on the Australia Awards scholarship program, presented by Public Diplomacy Consul Lachlan Norton.

Norton encouraged Undiknas students to explore opportunities to continue their education in Australia through the Australia Awards program, which provides opportunities for Indonesian students to pursue further study and professional development.

Rector Prof. Subawa welcomed the Consul-General’s visit and expressed his appreciation for the continued partnership through the #AussieBanget Corner.

The visit concluded with a networking session involving academics and students, providing an opportunity for participants to engage directly with representatives of the Australian Consulate-General.

The latest renewal extends an educational partnership that has been active at Undiknas for several years. The university and the Australian Consulate-General previously renewed their cooperation for activities at the #AussieBanget Corner and held a public lecture on Australia-Indonesia relations in April 2024.

Editor – Ray Bali