The Challenge
As one of Indonesia's leading private universities, BINUS Centre (BINA NUSANTARA Group) has a strong tradition of engaging global and domestic partners to enhance education and workforce development. With over 43,000 active students across 15 campuses, BINUS is committed to bridging Indonesia's education sector with international expertise.
TAFE Queensland, Australia's largest and most experienced provider of vocational training. With 140 years of experience and a reputation for industry-relevant training, TAFE Queensland is the government-owned operated vocational provider of world-class Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in Queensland, Australia.
For 11 years, David Widjaja served TAFE Queensland as their Indonesian Partnership Specialist. During his time, David was involved in a number of successful projects including training technical vocational schools in Central Java Provincial Government (sister state of Queensland) and many Australian Awards Fellowships programs, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which saw TAFE Queensland partner with Indonesia and other developing countries to deliver customised training to build the capacity of participants to contribute to the development of their organisations and countries.
In April 2022, David facilitated an agreement between BINUS Centre and TAFE Queensland to deliver micro-credentials programs to the Indonesian communities for upskilling their skills.
The Solution
DWC International, with its extensive experience in Australian-Indonesian education partnerships, played a crucial role in securing an agreement between BINUS Centre and TAFE Queensland in April 2022. David, leveraging his 11 years as TAFE Queensland's Indonesian specialist, facilitated negotiations and structured the partnership to align with both institutions' strategic goals.
A key enabler of this initiative was KATALIS, an Australian government-funded programme established under the 2021 Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). Recognising the potential of the BINUS-TAFE Queensland partnership, KATALIS provided additional funding to scale up the micro-credential offerings from three courses to twelve, significantly expanding training opportunities for Indonesian workers.
Impact
Through DWC International's involvement, the partnership between BINUS and TAFE Queensland has, and continues to deliver significant outcomes, including:
- Expansion of Micro-Credentials: Originally offering just three micro-credentials, the programme scaled to twelve, including leadership development, communication skills, digital literacy, online research, and subjects related to mental health, diversity, and engagement with individuals with disabilities. This broadens the educational opportunities available to Indonesian learners, with a flow on effect to the wider Indonesian economy.
- Increased Enrolments & Revenue for BINUS Centre: With the enhanced training portfolio, BINUS has strengthened its ability to attract and enrol more students, contributing to its long-term growth and financial sustainability for the University.
- Support for Women and People with Disabilities: With a focus on women and people with disabilities as students, the initiative aligns with broader social impact goals, ensuring equitable access to education and workforce development.
- Government & Industry Alignment: David's ongoing consultation ensured the smooth execution of the programme, including securing necessary support from the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and aligning the project with Indonesia's national workforce development objectives.
"This collaborative program is essential for BINUS University in aiding Indonesia's journey towards becoming a leading economic power in the region by 2045." BINUS Centre
"When I return to my country, I would like to identify people with a disability in my area and develop a training program which is suitable to their physical condition using the skills and knowledge I have learned during the fellowship to develop it." Australia Awards Fellowship, Round 15: Empowering people with disability through Vocational Education and Training Ministry of Manpower, Indonesia.
This partnership not only exemplifies the strength of Australian-Indonesian education collaboration but also highlights the power of strategic facilitation in turning a promising idea into a scalable, impactful initiative. As the programme continues to develop, it stands as a testament to the role of expert intermediaries in bridging international education and workforce development opportunities.
In the Media
Collaborating with TAFE Queensland, Binus Center Pioneers Australian Short Course Program in Indonesia
Kompas
3rd April 2024
Investor Indonesia
4th March 2024
The Australia Indonesia Centre
16th September 2022
BINUS University
26th September 2024