Charles Darwin University will continue to strengthen ties with the tertiary sector in Indonesia following a visit by an animal science delegation to campuses in Katherine and Casuarina this week.
Representatives from Gadjah Mada University, Bogor Agricultural University, Mataram University and the Indonesian Society of Animal Science met with staff and viewed the Katherine Rural Campus on Monday as part of an initiative of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association.
CDU Director of Katherine Jill Kennedy, and Agriculture and Rural Operations Team Leader Tim Biggs accompanied the delegation during their visit.
“It gave us an opportunity to demonstrate how we will be part of the effort to provide students from Indonesia with a rich learning experience in the Australian beef cattle industry,” Ms Kennedy said.
A group of 16 students is scheduled to arrive in May for two weeks of practical training that will cover occupational health and safety, horse and cattle handling, and how to operate motorbikes and quad bikes.
“It is part of an exciting pastoral industry student program that will benefit the students, the university, the pastoral industry and the Territory,” she said.
“This will be the first group of international students to undertake such training at the campus.”
Ms Kennedy said CDU had been supported by the NT Cattlemen’s Association in the development of the training component of the Indonesia Australia Pastoral Industry Student Program.
“Mr Biggs and other members of the rural operations team will work with the Indonesian students for two weeks before they relocate to a number of selected Territory cattle stations for six weeks of practical experience,” Ms Kennedy said.
The delegation continued discussions with Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover and representatives of CDU’s International Office in Darwin on Tuesday.