Mataram, Indonesia – The University of Mataram (UNRAM) warmly welcomed a delegation from Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia, for an Official Visit and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony under the New Colombo Plan (NCP) initiative. The visit marked another significant milestone in strengthening academic cooperation and promoting meaningful people-to-people connections between Indonesia and Australia.
The Southern Cross University delegation was led by Dr. Lachlan Yee and Dr. Owen Hogan, accompanied by nine Southern Cross University students participating in a three-month internship program at the University of Mataram. The delegation was also joined by representatives from the Aussie Banget Corner Universitas Mataram.
Representing the University of Mataram were Dr. Sitti Latifah, S.Hut., M.Sc.Forest.Trop., Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Information Systems; I Wayan Agus Arimbawa, Ph.D., Head of the Office of International Affairs; Lalu Muhammad Furkan, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Alumni of the Faculty of Economics and Business; the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Alumni of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; the Head of the Department of Management; the Head of the Chemistry Study Program; Nur Aida Tara, Ph.D., Head of AAS Alumni NTB; along with lecturers who are alumni of Australian universities.
The ceremony began with the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Mataram and Southern Cross University, reaffirming both institutions’ shared commitment to expanding collaboration in education, research, student mobility, and international engagement. The partnership is expected to create broader opportunities for students and academics while supporting the objectives of Australia’s New Colombo Plan in strengthening regional partnerships.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Sitti Latifah expressed her appreciation for Southern Cross University’s commitment to developing long-term cooperation with the University of Mataram.
“It is a great honor to welcome you to the University of Mataram as part of your three-month internship program. We sincerely appreciate Southern Cross University for serving as a bridge between our two universities. The University of Mataram is fully committed to supporting the implementation of all collaborative programs with Southern Cross University, and we look forward to building a strong and sustainable partnership together.”
Representing Southern Cross University, Dr. Lachlan Yee conveyed his gratitude for the warm reception extended by the University of Mataram.
“Thank you for welcoming us to the University of Mataram. We are proud to send some of our best students to participate in this internship program. We hope they will contribute positively during their time here, and more importantly, gain valuable experiences by learning the Indonesian language and immersing themselves in the local culture.”
Following the signing ceremony, both universities held a productive discussion on future collaboration. The meeting explored potential initiatives including student and staff mobility, collaborative research, internship programs, academic exchanges, joint community engagement activities, and other strategic partnerships that would benefit both institutions.
The New Colombo Plan internship program provides Southern Cross University students with an opportunity to develop intercultural understanding through hands-on experiences in Indonesia while working alongside academic communities at the University of Mataram. Beyond professional development, the program encourages participants to deepen their appreciation of Indonesian language, culture, and society, further strengthening the people-to-people ties between the two countries.
This partnership also supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through international student mobility, knowledge exchange, and collaborative learning, the program contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education by promoting inclusive and high-quality international education experiences. The strengthened institutional partnership between Universitas Mataram and Southern Cross University also advances SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, fostering long-term global collaboration in higher education, research, and capacity building. Furthermore, the internship program encourages intercultural understanding and global citizenship, empowering students to become future leaders capable of addressing shared regional and global challenges.
The University of Mataram remains committed to expanding its international partnerships and providing transformative global learning opportunities for students and academics. Through collaborations such as this, the University continues to foster internationalization, academic excellence, and cross-cultural engagement while contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.
