Semarang (2/20) – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) successfully hosted the Australia Day celebration with the theme “G’day from #AussieBanget: A Celebration of Australia!”. The event took place on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in the Diponegoro Muda Hall, 1st Floor of Building D, FISIP Undip Campus, Tembalang. The celebration aimed to strengthen the understanding and appreciation of Australian culture and its education system while serving as a platform for academic collaboration between Indonesia and Australia. The event was attended by the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., faculty leadership, and distinguished guests, including the Australian Consul General in Surabaya, H.E. Glen Askew, Mr Seluz Fahik (Australia Awards Scholarship/AAS Indonesia), and Nadia Sarah (the University of Queensland Advisor for Southeast Asia).

In his opening remarks, the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., emphasized FISIP Undip’s commitment to enhancing its facilities and services to international standards. “We are going to provide our facility and services at the international level, and I’m referring to Australian universities,” he stated. This declaration underscored the importance of collaboration with Australian universities to improve the quality of education at FISIP Undip.

The Australian Consul General in Surabaya, H.E. Glen Askew, during the Ambassadorial Lecture session, discussed various aspects of Australian culture and education. He introduced Australia’s education system, trade, and scholarship programs such as the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS). At the end of his presentation, Glen Askew engaged the audience with an interactive game to guess the meanings of typical Australian slang, followed by a lively Q&A session that sparked great enthusiasm among participants.

The event also featured a range of engaging activities, including a Study Info in Australia session led by the University of Queensland (UQ) and an Australia Awards Scholarship Expo. Through these activities, participants gained comprehensive information about study opportunities in Australia and firsthand experience of Australian culture through games and interactions.

The Australia Day celebration at FISIP Undip was not only a platform to celebrate Australian culture but also a strategic initiative to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Indonesia and Australia. By presenting inspiring speakers and activities, the event is expected to open broader collaboration opportunities and motivate FISIP Undip students to pursue global achievements.

Contributor & Translator:
Nur Inayah