Opportunity knocks for AusAID students

Swinburne University of Technology welcomed a new group of AusAID scholarship students from across South-East Asia and Africa.

One of 18 AusAID students studying at Swinburne this year, Indonesian student Pia Pramiluwati said she will use her experience in Australia to improve sustainable design practices in Indonesia.

“The purpose of this scholarship is for us to apply the knowledge we acquired in Australia for our country’s development,” Pia said. “The application of good design practices is still very new for companies in my home town of East Java, so I hope my experience here can help to improve the development of small and medium companies in Indonesia.”

On completion of her Master of Communication Design, Pia plans to return to her job at the Industry and Trade Office of East Java.

“My job back home involves dealing with small industries and their product packaging, so it is important for me to know how to make their products appealing to consumers. In my course I will learn how to visually communicate brands and images to customers which will enhance my work when I return to Indonesia,” she said.

“I always wanted to take a master course abroad because there aren’t many postgraduate design programs in my country – the AusAID scholarship made that possible.”

Since moving to Melbourne in January, Pia said that she has adapted well to the Australian culture and her studies.

“I like Swinburne because it has given me the opportunity to interact with students from other design courses such as interior, product and multimedia design - something that I didn’t get from my previous studies. So when we have a problem, we can come up with solutions from many different points of view,” Pia said.

AusAID is an Australian Government program which aims to assist developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. Swinburne has provided an AusAID student program for over 10 years.

More information about the program can be found at www.international.swinburne.edu.au/apply