News

NTCA conference: MOU to expand Indonesian student program

Beef Central, 27/03/2013

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, the Indonesian Society for Animal Science, and six partnering Indonesian Universities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue the Indonesia Australia Pastoral Industry Student Program.

NTCA executive director Luke Bowen said the developed marked a significant milestone for the NT pastoral industry in building proactive and positive linkages between NT beef producers, the industry and the Indonesian people.

“Today has moved the northern Australian beef industry one step closer to forming relationship with our largest market that is based on trust, respect, sharing and understanding,” Mr Bowen said at the NTCA conference in Alice Springs last week.

“We’re proud of what this Program has delivered to the industry and inspired in our cattlemen, and look forward to the Program continuing to further strengthen the cross-industry relationships between the Australian and Indonesian beef cattle industry,” said Mr Bowen said.

An NTCA initiative launched in 2012, the Program is an eight and a half week rigorous learning schedule in the north Australian cattle industry for Indonesian university students studying animal husbandry. It consists of two and a half weeks of intensive pastoral industry training, including animal welfare and handling, and experiential learning through six week placements at selected corporate and family run cattle stations across northern Australia.

Yudi Noor, President, Indonesia Society of Animal Science said: “This Program supports both of our industries to move forward by working collaboratively together, learning new ways of working with each other, and sharing knowledge.”

Mr Bowen said: “The program engenders mutually beneficial cultural exchange through student placements at working pastoral enterprises. It aims to provide a rich learning experience for students in the Australian beef cattle industry, including resources that can be shared with fellow students and colleagues on their return to Indonesia.”

This year, 15 students, five women and 10 men, have been selected to take part in the Program involving two weeks training at Charles Darwin University, a six week placement at cattle stations and an intensive animal welfare training program delivered by the Dept of Primary Industry and Fisheries.

Source: Northern Territory Cattleman's Association

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