Indonesia-Australia University-Based Cooperation since the 1940s

This paper analyses Indonesia-Australia university-based cooperation since the 1940s. The increasing academic research interest in Australia, the accumulation of research outcomes, and the increasing academic collaboration between both countries endured significant fluctuations in the general relations of both countries. The number of Indonesian students studying in Australia increased since the 1950s as a consequence of Australian government scholarships. The number of Indonesian students increased much more significantly after Australian universities enrolled full-fee paying Indonesian students since the 1980s. Smaller, but increasing numbers of Australian university students gained study experiences in Indonesia, especially since the 2000s. Surveys reveal the difficulties that Indonesian students experienced during their studies at Australian universities and after returning to Indonesia. They also indicate that Australian government scholarships are difficult to associate with the broad development goals of Australia’s foreign aid program in Indonesia. It is also difficult to consider them conclusively as a ‘soft power’ tool that sustains conducive Australia-Indonesia relations.