Funded Projects
Public Policy Programs
ASEAN-Australia Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP)
The AMI funded the ASEAN-Australia Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP) in Kuala Lumpur from 29 May to 2 June to coincide with the ISIS Malaysia run Asia-Pacific Roundtable. The program involved 21 young leaders from Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The participants came from government, media and academic backgrounds and were brought together to develop their capacity as regional leaders and discuss topical international and regional issues.
We would like to extend our thanks to our Malaysia partners ISIS Malaysia, St James Ethics Centre and Asialink, as well as the Australia-Thailand Institute and the Australia-Indonesia Institute for contributing funding.
The A2ELP was a well received networking opportunity for all participants as highlighted by the establishment of an A2ELP facebook page mid-program.
Group photo of participants at the ASEAN-Australia Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP) (Photo courtesy of St James Ethics Centre)
Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims
The AMI contributed funding for a Leadership Training Program for young Muslims with delegates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines participating in a seven week program organised by the Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University.
The program focused on developing leadership skills, as well as inter-cultural and inter-faith understanding. The program included a series of dialogues, seminars and workshops in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne and meetings with emerging Muslim leaders in Australia, as well as with influential Australians including top business leaders, faith leaders, federal, state and local politicians, community activists, bureaucrats, community leaders, ethnic group leaders, media practitioners and the diverse Muslim community in Australia.
The delegation visited Parliament House and arranged dialogues with ministers in the government and leader opposition shadow members of parliament.
2011 Leadership Program Southeast Asian Delegates at Parliament House, from left Hafiz Salae (Thailand), Jufitri Bin Joha (Malaysia), Abdelnur P. Campong (Philippines), Aan Rukmana (Indonesia), Zulfadhli Gazali (Singapore), Leigh Halud (Philippines), Sakiroh Y. Benharoon (Thailand) and Farhana Halim (Malaysia) (Photo courtesy of Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University)
Cultural Collaboration
The Australia-Malaysia Institute's (AMI) cultural program develops and supports collaboration initiatives in the arts which foster sustainable institutional and people-to-people links.
In 2010 – 2011 the AMI is funding a range of cultural institutions and artists in Malaysia and Australia.
Australia and Malaysian Cooperation in cultural heritage
The AMI is collaborating with AusHeritage and the Penang Heritage Trust on a five month heritage conservation cooperation program at the George Town World Heritage Site.
Melaka Art and Performance Festival
The AMI in partnership with MultiCultural Arts Victoria supported Australian artists at the Melaka Art and Performance Festival including renowned Melbourne dancer Tony Yap and Wei Zen Ho. The festival was held on 26 – 28 November 2010 and features on the Malaysian national calendar of cultural tourism events.
Tony Yap performing at the Melaka Arts and Performance Festival (Photo courtesy of MultiCultural Arts Victoria)
Artist's Residency at Rimbun Dahan
AMI in partnership with Arts SA and Asialink is funding Daniel Jaber in his Artist Residency at Rimbun Dahan, Malaysia. Daniel has created two new contemporary dance works working with Malaysian and Australian dancers.
Malaysian Carnivale and Malaysian Festival
The AMI with the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia (MASCA) engages with Malaysian students studying in Australia to strengthen the Australia-Malaysia relationship and to celebrate the rich diversity of Malaysian culture. In 2010 MASCA Victoria and MASCA South Australia held successful cultural festivals in Melbourne and Adelaide attracting thousands of visitors to promote Malaysian arts, culture and food to the Australian community.
The 2010 Malaysian Carnival was awarded the 'Community Event of the Year Award' at the City of Adelaide Australia Day awards.
Chinese Traditional Fan Dance. The fans highlight the graceful movements of the dances and extensions of very delicate poses
Sister School Program
The AMI is helping to build long-term reciprocal links between Australian and Malaysian schools and a network of students closely connected to both countries. The Australia-Malaysia Sister School program was announced by former Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP during his visit to Malaysia in 2008. The program develops mutual understanding and people-to-people links between year 9 and 10 students in Australia and Malaysia.
Sister schools partnerships are funded by the Australia-Malaysia Institute and supported by the Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) and the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MoE).
From the initial six high schools in Malaysia that were linked to six Victorian schools the program has expanded to 26 sister school linkages between Victorian and Malaysian schools.
Sister Schools' relationships are maintained through visits to Malaysia and Australia and online collaboration.
| Victorian School | Malaysian School |
|---|---|
| Western Port Secondary College, Hastings | SMK Aminuddin Baki, JLN Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur. |
| Wallan Secondary College, Wallan | SMK Agama Sheikh Abdul Malek, JLN Budiman Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu |
| Benalla Secondary College, Benalla | SMK Derma, JLN Penjara, Kangar, Perlis |
| Rosebud Secondary College, Rosebud | SMK Gunung Rapat, Ipoh Perak. |
| Fountain Gate Secondary College, Fountain Gate | SMK USJ4, Subang Jaya, Selangor |
| Lalor Secondary College, Lalor | SMK Sains Kuching, Sarawak |
| Tallangatta Secondary College | SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Sabah |
| Maffra Secondary College | Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, Johar |
| Cobden Technical college | Sekolah Menengah Teknik Alor Setar, Kedah |
| Maribyrnong Secondary college | Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur |
| Leongatha Secondary College | SMK King George V, Negeri Sembilan |
| Elthan High School | SMK Tinggi Melaka |
| Ashwood Secondary College | SM Agama Persikutan Kajang, Selangor |
AMI Sister School SMK Sains Kuching, Sarawak School Orchestra
Australia-Malaysia Sports Program
The AMI supports cooperation between Australian and Malaysian sporting organisations with a view to generating long term institutional and people-to-people links.
In 2009 -2010 the AMI funded three elite sport coaching scholarships in cycling, hockey and swimming. The Australian Institute of Sport, Hockey Australia and Swimming Australia hosted the Malaysian coaching placements.
The AMI has also funded grants to facilitate capacity building and foster mentorship between Australia and Malaysia in sports cooperation.
In 2009-2010 AMI funded Netball Australia to work with Netball Malaysia to develop and implement a strategic high-performance plan. AMI also funded Malaysian health professionals' participation at the Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport and a research symposium for sports scientists to discuss developments in sports science and coaching.
The AMI looks forward to continuing to develop sports collaboration with Malaysian sporting organisations including the Malaysian National Sports Commission.
Sports Science and Sports Coaching – From Left Dr Ahmad Munir (Chairman National Coaching Board), Dato Mohd Yassin, Dato Zolkples Embong (Director General, National Sport Council, Ms Low Beng Choo, Vice President Malaysian Olympic Council) at the Coaching Science Conference, Kuala Lumpur, 2nd December 2009 (Photo courtesy of Associate Professor Thompson)