The Australia Awards Office, hosted by AusAID, has welcomed news that one of its alumni, Dr Chatib Basri, has been appointed Indonesia's new Minister of Finance.
Dr Basri received an Australia Awards Scholarship and completed his PhD in Economics at the Australian National University in 2001.
Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government. They offer the next generation of global leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia and for high-achieving Australians to do the same overseas. Australia works closely with developing countries to ensure that Australia Awards provided through the aid program support the development priorities of each country.
'Dr Chatib Basri is an Australian alumnus who I've known for a long time and is a good friend of Australia. He has been one of Indonesia's leading economists and is well regarded by the Australian business community,' Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty said.
Dr Basri has significant international and Indonesian economic and trade policy experience and was appointed as the chair of Indonesia's Investment Coordinating Board in 2012. Prior to this he was the Vice Chairman of the National Economic Committee of Indonesia's Vice President, and is currently a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Indonesia.
Other Australia Awards alumni holding senior positions in the Indonesian government include Vice President Boediono and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
There are currently 814 Indonesian Australia Awards scholars supported by AusAID studying in Australia. A further 500 scholarships for study at Australian institutions are on offer to Indonesians for 2014. More than 2,000 Indonesian students have received Australia Awards since 1997.
A further 39 Indonesians are currently studying in Australia as part of their Australia Awards Endeavour Scholarship or Fellowship, administered by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Five Australians are currently undertaking study, research or professional development in Indonesia as Australia Awards recipients, with a further seven to commence later this year.