16 May 2023
Threesna Sharfina
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM, visited the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) to deliver a public lecture titled "The Australia-Indonesia Bilateral Relationship." Accompanying her were Minister Counsellor (Politics and Strategic Communications) Adrian Lochrin, Political Officer Ashton Papazahariakis, and Public Affairs Manager Angky Septiana.
Representing the Universitas Sumatera Utara, Vice Rector IV attended the event for Information, Planning, and Development, Prof. Dr. Opim Salim Sitompul, M.Sc., who officially opened the event, along with Director of Internationalization and Global Partnerships, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, ST., MT., and members of the FISIP USU leadership, including Vice Dean II for Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Assets, Dr. Nurman Achmad S.Sos., M.Soc.Sc., Vice Dean III for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation, Dr. Harmona Daulay S.Sos., M.Si., and Fredick Broven Ekayanta S.I.P, M.I.P., who served as the moderator.
The public lecture, attended by around a hundred students, focused on the history and strong relationship between Indonesia and Australia, which has been established since Indonesia's independence. Penny Williams expressed her hope that this strong partnership would continue.
"Australia's commitment to its partnership with Indonesia reflects the strength of our friendship and underscores a broader recognition that Indonesia holds a special place in our region – in terms of leadership, economic opportunities, and strategic interests," Penny Williams concluded in her speech.
The public lecture ended with an engaging Q&A session, where students actively participated in discussions with the Ambassador.
