Jakarta, 1 April – The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (through the Australia Awards Fellowships program) and Western Sydney University (WSU) are collaborating with international partners in the Indo-Pacific region to channel digital media for social and economic development, environmental sustainability, social justice, and social cohesion. Australia Awards Fellowships program has provided a grant for a total of twelve Fellows from Fiji, Indonesia and India to achieve these objectives.

This Fellowship program with a total value of $459,000 and led by Associate Dean International South Asia and Journalism Area Convenor, Dr Asha Chand in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, addresses shared priorities regarding ethical and responsible journalism, to enhance media capability, trust, and fact-checking skills and strengthen credibility, rebuilding public trust in journalism.

The program enabled three of our colleagues from the School of Computing & Creative Arts at BINUS International to participate and engage in a month-long immersive experience in Sydney to establish a foundation to share teaching, research, community, and cultural knowledge and resources.

Before their arrival in Sydney, Dian Sarwono, M.A. (Head of Program of the Creative Digital Communication Program), Dr. Annapurna Sinha, Ph.D. (Lecturer at the Creative Digital Communication Program), and Damba Permatasakti, M.A. (Lecturer at the Graphic Design & New Media Program) joined the month-long online training program took place in October 2024, delivered by internationally recognised scholars, media owners, alumni and professionals associated with the WSU School of Humanities and Communication Arts.

“The program also builds on the importance of an informed community through a rigorous ethical media landscape, which must function well as the foundation and cornerstone of civil society. Digital media and journalism are pivotal in enhancing such developments in our communities. The journalism and communications program at WSU is well-placed to lead this innovation, having built a global rapport through excellence in research, teaching, community development and engagement,” says Dr Chand.

Dr Chand says that by sharing what they learn with their peers and students back home, the participants will become enablers for change and a better society, fulfilling the core objectives of this project and promoting diplomatic relations and trade cooperation among partner countries through collaborative projects and knowledge exchange.

During their time in Sydney, Fellows will partake in an engaging session focusing on capacity building by empowering the fellows, students, communities, and countries in the use of technologies to stay connected and overcome barriers of distance.

Emphasis on mentorship and ongoing support for the Fellows ensures that they are well-prepared to lead long-term capability development in their home countries. This aligns with the shared priority of building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to drive digital economies and improve livelihoods.

The Fellowship will play a pivotal role in advancing the region’s digital future by equipping professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge, fostering media excellence, and promoting cross-border collaboration.