The Australian Alumni Awards is renowned for recognising transformational achievements in education, research, and professional development.
This year, the awards continued to highlight the exceptional contributions of Indonesian alumni. Managed by Tetra Tech International Development on behalf of the Australian Government, these awards celebrate the enduring partnership between Australia and Indonesia.
Australia Awards in Indonesia supported the Australian Embassy in Indonesia in hosting the Gala Dinner on 15 May.
The dinner featured performances by Indonesian musicians and an exhibition on Australia’s support for Indonesia’s independence. The event was attended by Their Excellencies Governor-General of Australia and Mrs Hurley, along with distinguished guests, including Australian alumnus Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.
The event marked the 75th anniversary of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations and the prestigious 2024 Australian Alumni Awards.
“This year we celebrate 75 years of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations and the history of friendship our two countries share. Personal connections between people are at the heart of this friendship, and our alumni community play a large part in fostering these enduring ties,” said the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM.
The awards were presented by the Governor-General, Mrs Hurley, and Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
Meutya Hafid: Alumni of the Year
The Alumni of the Year Award was presented to Meutya Hafid by His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Meutya, an alumna of UNSW and Chair of Commission 1 of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), has been awarded the prestigious Alumni of the Year Award.
Her leadership in advancing Indonesia’s sustainable development goals across foreign affairs, defence, communications, and information sectors exemplifies the profound impact of the Australian Alumni Awards.
Alvin Sariaatmadja: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award was presented to Alvin Sariaatmadja by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr Airlangga Hartanto.
UNSW alumnus Alvin, President Director of Elang Mahkota Teknologi (EMTEK), received the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award for his leadership in a diverse business portfolio that spans media, digital, connectivity, and emerging sectors. Alvin’s commitment to bridging the gap between online and offline platforms has revolutionised various industries.
Fandy Dawenan: Promoting Women’s Empowerment & Social Inclusion Award
Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley presented the Promoting Women’s Empowerment & Social Inclusion Award to Fandy Dawenan.
As Chair of the Indonesian Association for the Visually Impaired (Pertuni) in Southwest Papua and an English teacher at SMAN 10 Raja Ampat, Fandy, a Flinders University alumnus, has been a formidable advocate for people with disabilities, focusing on digital literacy.
His contributions to inclusive education have been recognised by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, which named him a national outstanding and inspiring teacher.
Congratulations to all the 2024 award winners and participants
The remarkable achievements of this year’s winners underscore the transformative power of education and the enduring ties between Australia and Indonesia.