The event, held in collaboration with Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Notre Dame, marked a significant milestone in the partnership established in 2017 under the East Java and Western Australia sister states agreement. This initiative aims to foster exchanges and collaboration among students, academics, and industry partners.  

The WAEJUC Research Summit was a pivotal step towards achieving the consortium's goal of advancing research to enhance education and innovation. Murdoch University's participation was led by Professor Jacqueline Lo, Director of the Indo-Pacific Research Centre (IPRC), and David Scholefield from the College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences, with support from the College's professional services team and the International Office. 

The opening ceremony at Murdoch’s landmark academic building Boola Katitjin featured keynote speeches by Yaz Mubarakai MLA – representing the WA Government; H.E. Listiana Operananta, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Perth; and Murdoch University's Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Peter Eastwood.  

The East Java delegation included Deputy Vice Chancellors of Research and Directors of Research from several prominent universities: Universitas Airlangga, Universitas Brawijaya, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Universitas Negeri Malang, and Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur. 

A highlight of the summit was the 'matchmaking' sessions designed to foster collaborations in research areas such as health, agriculture, social sciences, sustainability, and energy.  

Delegates also toured the Murdoch University campus, engaging with researchers and exploring facilities like the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation; Personalised Medicine Centre; Health Futures Institute; Creative Media Studios; Engineering and Energy Labs; and the Veterinary Hospital. 

The week-long program included visits to other Western Australian universities, a tour of the WA Museum Boola Bardip, and receptions hosted by H.E. Dr. Pramono, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australian Indonesian Business Council. 

Professor Lo said the summit – which was funded by the WA Government - was very successful, with several significant partnerships now being explored by Murdoch. 

"Murdoch has a strong history of engagement with Indonesia. WAEJUC presents a critical opportunity for us to accelerate our research collaborations through bilateral schemes such as the Kemdiktisaintek–KONEKSI Joint Call that aim for high impact outcomes,” she said. 

Professor Eastwood said as a global citizen, Murdoch University was keen to look abroad, and especially to the Indo-Pacific region, to develop new research partnerships that create impact through diplomacy in science and technology.  

“We are excited to work with the universities in East Java to accelerate collaboration in advanced research to support the development of industries under our sister state agreement,” he said.  

WAEJUC Co-Chair (Research) Professor Iman Harymawan, from Universitas Airlangga, said the summit was productive and fostered many important connections. 

“The presence of many leaders from Murdoch University signals a high level of commitment, which makes us feel optimistic about upcoming collaborations,” he said.  

An annual WAEJUC research grant scheme has been established to further support collaborations, with a call for proposals in July. Additionally, a WA alumni event is planned for Surabaya in the latter half of 2025, alongside a second WAEJUC research meeting aimed at strengthening industry, government, and community connections. 

The WAEJUC program is funded by the Government of Western Australia, with partnerships from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Indonesian Business Council. 

Pic caption: WAEJUC delegates stand outside Boola Katitjin at Murdoch University