Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – Unity in Diversity, Our 2024 Indonesian Study Tour
Over the past few weeks, eleven Liveris Scholars had the incredible opportunity to participate in a short-term summer exchange at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Over two weeks, we had the privilege of being culturally immersed in multiple Indonesian communities, visiting a variety of sustainable Indonesian businesses and most of all, forming unforgettable friendships with the people at ITB. Unlike a conventional summer course, our classroom learning was heavily supplemented with many hands-on experiences ranging from snorkelling to visiting Asia’s largest floating solar power plant. We are thankful for the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grant, the Liveris Academy and ITB for making this experience possible.
Pilau Bintan (Bintan Island)
By Siddesh Karekal, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Scholar
We spent the first four days on Bintan Island in Indonesia, a 45-minute boat ride from Singapore. Although before going on the trip, I had never heard about Bintan, it was to be my favourite four days of the entire journey. We participated in multiple activities that included exploring the Doulos Phos ship, Bekarang (local community fishing), planting mangroves and learning a bit of Bahasa.
One of the highlights of our stay on Bintan was the homestay in Desa Pengudang, a regional community. This experience offered a vastly new experience for me - back home in Brisbane, my days constantly revolve around technology, and everything is very busy. Spending the night playing with locals on a coast with no reception, under the protection of the mosquito coils made the experience very special.
Apart from the peaceful environment, the communities’ progressive views and actions taken to reduce global warming and protect the endangered Dugong population were eye-opening. Hearing how the community had adapted from eating Dugong as a delicacy to progressively accepting the government’s new teaching, and now protecting Dugong highlighted social change and how communal beliefs can be changed. Even when planting Mangroves, I noticed people had a strong emphasis on the circular economy, with reusable seedling pots being made from washed-up plastic bottles.
Finally, I was inspired and motivated by the strong sense of community and development in Pengudang, with Idel (a local fisherman and travel guide) volunteering to English to the younger generations to escape the poverty trap. These examples have shown me that social change can occur.
Overall, although Bintan is very different from Australia culturally, the core values of empathy, friendliness and the concept of community are very similar between the two countries. I feel this allowed us to feel integrated into society, forge strong friendships with the local community and make memories that we will forever cherish.
Kota Bandung
by Daham Kannangara, Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar
Reflecting on my experience in Bandung, Indonesia, I am filled with gratitude and inspiration. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a warm welcome by the ITB staff and students, who generously offered us an abundance of food and drink. This hospitality set the tone for our entire stay.
School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB), West Java: On our first day, we attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Bambang Rudito, who provided a comprehensive overview of the various ethnic groups in Indonesia. It was astonishing to learn about the sheer number of ethnic groups and the diverse law systems they employ to manage and avoid conflict. This insight was both eye-opening and educational.
Dr. Paul Lim followed with a thought-provoking lecture on the importance of ethics and morals in society. I found it intriguing how people's choices vary based on different situations and perspectives, highlighting the complexity of ethical decision-making.
Our campus tour, led by our buddies (the students from ITB), was both informative and enjoyable. We learned several key facts about ITB and captured some memorable photos. A highlight was a spontaneous game of basketball with local students, which added a fun and engaging element to our visit.
During our stay in Bandung, we embarked on several field trips that showcased local entrepreneurship and sustainability efforts.
PLTS Terapung Cirata Floating Solar PV Farm: One notable visit was to the Cirata floating solar power plant, where we learned about the innovative solutions implemented to overcome challenges and minimize the impact on the local community, biodiversity, and environment.
READ MORE about this particular visit in Oliver Barr-David’s travel reflection here: 2024 NCP Cross-Cultural Exchange and Social Entrepreneurship Indonesian Study Tour - Liveris Academy - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)
Kerajinan Eceng Gondok
by Charlotte Sargent, Liveris Academy Undergraduate Scholar
In learning about the intersection of sustainability, innovation and empowerment, and how these were applied within the cultural context, we visited the village Kampung Cicalengka, Mekarmukti, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, who use Eceng Gondok to weave. Known as Kerajinan Eceng Gondok, or ‘Water Hyacinth Craft’. The Water Hyacinth is an invasive species found in the dam that is home to the floating solar farm, in this project the weed is used to create baskets, bags, hats and more. Over 400 women have been taught how to weave, and thus gained a source of income. I enjoyed learning some basic weaving from the women there immensely, and gained a deeper appreciation for the time, skill and creativity required to make the beautiful wares. I was particularly interested at how the issue of the invasive weed was used to create multiple points of economic benefit: from the farmers who harvested and dried the plants to the women who weaved and sold the end products. Seeing how the community was able to turn a problem into an opportunity was remarkable.
READ MORE: : Water hyacinth crafts penetrate the Italy market (republika.id)
MycoTech: Another memorable visit was to MycoTech Labs, where we observed the process of transforming agricultural waste into vegan leather. Chief Innovative Officer M. Arkha Bentangan L provided valuable insights into their sustainable practices, which were both enlightening and inspiring.
READ MORE: MYCL Blog and https://mycl.bio/
Dusun Bambu
by Shreyas Raman, Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar
Reflecting on my visit to Dusun Bambu, I am inspired by the park's commitment to sustainable tourism. The extensive use of bamboo in the flooring, walls, and ceilings showcased the practical application of eco-friendly practices, demonstrating how renewable resources can be effectively used in construction. This experience not only reinforced my academic understanding of sustainability but also provided a tangible example of how these principles are implemented in real-world settings. Additionally, the trip was enjoyable, allowing me to bond with fellow students in a beautiful and thoughtfully designed environment. Overall, the visit to Dusun Bambu was a perfect blend of education and enjoyment, making it a truly rewarding experience.
by Joshua Ryu, Liveris Academy Undergraduate Scholar
Amidst visiting local communities and engaging with cultural activities in Bandung and surrounding areas, we had a chance to relax at Dusun Bambu, a picturesque theme park by a beautiful pond. There, we were greeted with amazing local food, and enjoyed going on the rides and seeing some of the animals at the zoo there. Since the park was so big, we went through the park using a minibus – it was funny to squeeze everyone in the small seats! A highlight was going on small race cars, where the scholars and staff alike raced against each other and had fun! There were some iconic photos
taken at Dusun Bambu, like the one with the pond in the background, and the ones of people laughing as they came down a massive slide.
READ MORE: http://dusunbambu.id/
Batik Komar & Saung Angklung Udjo: We also visited Batik Komar, renowned for its traditional Indonesian batiks. The experience of learning and creating our own batiks was incredibly enjoyable, despite almost exhausting my budget on these beautiful pieces of art! The day culminated at Saung Angklung Udjo, where we immersed ourselves in Indonesian culture through vibrant dances and music. Playing the Angklung alongside many others was a highlight, creating a harmonious and peaceful sound that made me feel like a musician in an orchestra.
Overall, my Bandung experience was enriching and unforgettable. The knowledge I gained, the cultural experiences I had, and the connections I made will stay with me for a lifetime.
All photo credit goes to Faiz (Jek) Marully.
