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Indonesian honour for Monash academic

5 October 2005

Senior lecturer in Indonesian Studies Mr Bas Koesasi has been recognised by Padjadjaran University in Bandung, Indonesia, for his service to education.

From left: Professor Dr E Saefullah, Monash Law graduate and Senate chairman, Padjadjaran University, Mrs Tien Saefullah, award recipient Mr Bas Koesasi, Mrs Himendra and Professor Dr H.A. Himendra, rector and president of Padjadjaran University.

Mr Koesasi's award acknowledges his 'unprecedented contribution' towards strengthening the collaboration between Monash and Padjadjaran University through activities involving education and culture.

Professor Dr H.A. Himendra, rector and president of Padjadjaran University, last month presented Mr Koesasi with the award Satya Karya Bhakti Pendidikan Unpad (Distinguished Service in Education) during an official ceremony in Indonesia.

The official citation added that Mr Koesasi's contribution had 'enhanced the friendship between the Australian and Indonesian people'.

Mr Koesasi, who was until early this year convenor of the Indonesian Studies program at Monash's School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at the Clayton campus, said he was humbled to receive the award.

"This is the highest award presented to people outside the university, so it is a great honour," he said. "It was also great to see so many of our alumni at the presentation, many of whom I still keep in regular contact with."

Mr Koesasi has been at Monash since 1973, beginning his academic career as a tutor in Indonesian. In 1979 he took the first group of Monash students to Padjadjaran University, beginning a long-standing relationship between Monash and the Indonesian university.

"Monash has been closely linked with Padjadjaran over the years through academic and cultural exchanges, research collaborations, and the exchange of students. These activities have enabled many Indonesian people to better improve their education and links to Australia," he said.

"A key role I have also played is facilitating people-to-people contact. This has enabled my students to better their relationship with Indonesia and enabled Monash to build a very strong relationship with the Indonesian community."