Indonesian editor wins prestigious award

March 2009

A Monash alumnus responsible for running a major English-language lifestyle magazine has received a prestigious alumni award in Indonesia.

Last month, Alex Simanjuntak (BA 2005) was presented with the Outstanding Young Australian Alumni Award, a category in Indonesia’s Australian Alumni Awards. The Awards recognise the role Australian educational institutions play in Indonesian public life. The nine Indonesians who received an award were chosen by an independent panel of fellow alumni.

Mr Simanjuntak is editor of Jakarta Java KINI, Indonesia's leading travel, entertainment and lifestyle magazine. He received the Award “in recognition of his inspiring contribution and impact at a young age on the younger media generation and for setting the benchmark as a prominent editor, manager and team member”.

Mr Simanjuntak said he was pleased to be recognised.

“Receiving the Award has inspired me to work even harder to be a great example of an Australian alumnus for other young alumni. I also hope the achievement will be a statement that studying hard in Australia will be awarded when you stay focused,” said Mr Simanjuntak.

Mr Simanjuntak migrated from Indonesia to Melbourne at the age of 14. He began taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to improve his English and ended up topping both his ESL and Indonesian language subjects in Year 12.

Four years ago, Mr Simanjuntak returned to Jakarta where he currently lives and works.

Dr Deddy Mulyana (PhD 1996) was also recognised in a special category of the Awards, receiving an Inspirational Alumni Award. Dr Mulyana is the Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Communication Science at Padjadjaran University and was honoured for his role in the development of communication education in Indonesia.