Indonesia – Australia Comparative Study Report

CHAPTER I
Introduction
1.1 Background

A new step was released by the Directorate General DIKTI Indonesia to prepare
universities in Indonesia to be a world class universities. Indonesia's education sector should
continue to develop the communities demands and advances in science, technology, and art.
Education in Science, Technology, and Arts will ensure Sustainable Development and
Increased Competitiveness for Indonesia as a Nation. In addition, values of faith and piety
are needed for students to filter out the culture that comes from foreign cultures. Education is
the most important aspect to advance a nation. Futhermore it should provide skills and
knowledge. The campus must be able to develop leadership for students.
The development of student perspectives is crucial in shaping the best national
identity. These insights form science, technology, art, the values of faith, piety and views
about multiculturalism due to that the Directorate General DIKTI Indonesia did a selection to
conduct a comparative study of a number of Universities in Australia. They selected 27 BEM
representatives in Indonesia. The Comparative study conducted by DIKTI for BEM leader in
Indonesia was a big step forward to make the students better in based collaboration, learning
and innovation. Many things can be taken from this comparative study. Every campus in
Sydney provides its own inspiration for us in the development of student organizations and it
is expected to be applicable and adopted for the progress of student organizations in
Indonesia. The comparative study was carried out on 5 - 11 September 2009 through several
universities in Australia, which are as follows:

1. UNSW (University of New South Wales)

2. Macquarie University
3. UWS (University of Western Sydney)
4. University of Sydney
5. UTS (University of Technology Sydney)

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It was a very fantastic trip along with the best students in Indonesia. In addition it
was an unforgettable experience. A journey that really opened my eyes and our insights into
a world that is vast in which we should be able to compete with in order to be a strong
country and a reliable individual. We still have a lot to learn and should always try to be able
to compete as reliable individuals which are expected to be the pioneers of our nation. That
was a very pleasant and inspiring experience for one week where we had the opportunity to
“steal” the science of a neighboring country. In addition to this comparative study we
obtained additional insights into function the challenge of how the student organizations
systems and activities in Australia and then later compare the student organization system
and activities to Indonesia. With the appeal of this comparative study expected the university
will be able to develop a network for their student organizations, and cooperating in its
development.

1.2 Problem formulation

Based on the above background it can be formulated into a formulation of the
problem:
1. Student organization system in Australia.
2. Student Activitiy in Australia.
3. The Function Organization of student affairs in Australia.

1.3 Objectives
1. Opening the insight of Indonesian students about organizational form, especially in
Sydney Australia.
2. Build cooperative relationships between Indonesian and Australian students, especially in
the development of student organizations
3. Comparing Student Organizations in Indonesia with Australia

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Chapter II
University Overview

In this section there will be a brief overview of each university that we visited including a
description of the general condition of each campus and its uniqueness.

2.1 UNSW (University of New South Wales)

UNSW is located in Kensington. The University has students numbered at about
40.000, 7500 of them are foreign students who come from the Asia Pacific region. UNSW is
one of the best universities in Sydney. The campus scene shows a view of education. It is a
campus with a variety of average world class standard courses. The name of Student
Organization at UNSW is UNSW ARC. It is divided into 2 major parts namely SRC
(Student Representative Council) and SDC (Student Development Committee). A
Fundamentally different thing from the UNSW student organization in Indonesia is with a
leader they call their CEO (chief executive officer).

ARC

SDC SRC
Figure 2.1 Organizational Structure At UNSW

SDC has contributed to build the skills of students which is accommodated in several
clubs and student clubs such as, sports clubs, first aid club, dance club, society.Clubs and
student society is directly under the auspices of SDC, where the funds for the
implementation of their activities are funded by the ARC.
All the clubs run by the program are used to improve the welfare of students. The
funds are obtained from private activities, sponsors and government-related institution.
Where the result of long-term activities such as retail managed by the club generate some
income that is used to pay them and help finance the club.

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In the early years of the management, the ARC made an annual contract with the
university, where the contract is related to their activities during the year with a budget of
funds they need. It is very impressive from the ARC at the University of New South Wales,
their ability to develop skills in leadership and skills in the field of entrepreneurship on the
campus. For example, students manage there own food court, mini market, printing, etc. to
supplement their annual funds. Besides the publishing system for any ARC activity packed
with very interesting and widely spread materials, whether through print media on campus or
through a mailing list owned by each student. This makes each student knows all the
information easily associated with the ARC activities that will be or has been done.

2.2 Macquarie University

Macquarie University is the second university we visited. At Macquarie University
there are two students organizations that are MUSRA (Macquarie University Student
Representative Association) for undergraduate student organizations and MUPRA
(Macquarie University Postgraduate Representative Association) for the postgraduate
student associations. MUSRA is a new organizational model at Macquarie University, so not
many things that have been done in the week prior to our arrival there they had conducted
election. They were going to do the election from sept 8 to 10 2009.

Figure 2.2 MUSRA legal Structures in Macquarie University

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The representative model applied is from representative groups and clubs at

Macquarie University. The Different things in this organization is the absence of the highest
authority (the president) but in the realm of executive, it is managed by two people
Convenor, treasurer and secretary. Then in addition to executive, MUSRA also consists of
representation from student groups, general officers, and officer ex officio. Another
interesting thing is that every strategic position as chairman, secretary and treasurer elected
directly by the student through the electoral system resembles the American senatorial.

Figure 2.3 MUSRA Internal Structure

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MUSRA is committed to represent the needs and interests of students. They will
facilitate the tertiary education of students. They will work to improve the university
experience for the student. MUSRA will act as a channel of communication between the
students and the university by bringing the opinions and concerns of the students for the
university`s consideration in decision making. They will consult with U@MQ and the
university in relation to facilities for recreation or other leisure activities for the student
body.

Gambar 2.4 MUSRA Operating Structure

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MUSRA organization projects :

• Second – hand bookshop
• Clubs and society
• Campus events
• Student diary
• Education campaigns
• Student advocacy

2.3 UWS (University of Western Sydney)

The third University we visited was the University of Western Sydney. UWS is
located in the city of Sydney with the number of students reaching about 10,000 people, 50%
of whom are domestic students, while the other 50% are foreign students. This provides a
diversity of students at this campus. Their student organization is called the NSO (New
Student Organization). It is still comparatively young. at UWS the student organization
which they named "New Student Organization (NSO) 'already has a clear organizational
structure and works regularly with a good system, at the helm they named "executive"
consisting of Postgraduate VP, VP Activities , President, Gen secretary, VP Equity Eden
Diversity, and VP Academic. And supported by Cttee Support Activity, Student Academic
Council, Campus activities C'tees, Bi-Annual Assembly Communities and Academic
Representatives Join Student position with the SASQACs. These organizations get funding
from the university. Their functions include the development of talent container development
interests of students, students' academic development, advocacy and monitoring. In the
activities they can help and facilitate the students in expressing the student potential.

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Figure 2.5 NSO Structure

2.4 University of Sydney

The next university we visited was the University of Sydney. University of Sydney is
the oldest university in Australia. With the number reaching as many as 48,000 students, with
the number of foreign students reaching 13.000. it seems to be the right place for the world's
best students for a lecture. Student organizations that are here are the SRC (Student
Representative Council).

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Broadly speaking, these organizations function as a political social institution which

aims to bring the aspirations of students associated with the university or government
decisions in many ways. So that makes the student activities in this campus the most heroic.
They spearheaded Rallies and marching activities. The Student Union in this University is in
political participation. Their role is very different from the other Universities, they are very
active in fighting for human rights, and articulate their aspirations. The election in this
University are elected directly for the members. They choose one student president and seven
delegates, one student representatives council of post graduate student, and ten people to
manage the campus newspaper. This organization has paid a special adviser to build this
organization. Interesting things we got from this organization is that. It is full of freedom. In
addition, SRC has a legal entity and a lawyer who is ready to defend them when in trouble.

2.5 UTS (University of Technology Sydney)

University of Technology Sydney was the last university we visited. The

Organization is the highest in the university. It is called the SRC which is beneath the shade
of the Student Union club and all the students. SRC works to bridge the aspirations of
students with the university and make regulations for all student activities in UTS.

Interesting things we got from this university is the establishment of student clubs or
a set that best fits the needs of its students. Basicly, the main activity in UTS is that it
provided services and entertainment for the students. In activities UTS student union had put
forward a lot of things on how to make the students be happy on campus. Student unions put
a lot of focus on student clubs and units, especially a sports club which is very diverse. One
of the biggest events in sports is the students' games, a kind of Olympics for students.

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Chapter III
Conclusions and Suggestions

3.1. Conclusion
3.1..1. Organization System

In general, the models of student organizations on each campus in Australia are

not obliged to pay the student activity fee in order to make the organization
dependent on the university student and also the efforts of the sponsors. This reflects
the position of student organizations that were originally independent to become
more dependent (depending on the university), but it is also about the source of
funding which comes mostly from members and businesses who work together with
the sponsors so that they form an organization that is built up like a corporation.
Regarding organizational system there are some differences between the campuses in
Australia with the campuses in Indonesia, which is basically as follows:

• Student organizations form, it is more of corporation to seek funding. While in

Indonesia it is constitutional.

• People who organize students organizations are paid. This is calculated per week
anually. While in Indonesia it isn’t.

• Generally chosen by election, but not only for president but also some of its ranks. In
Indonesia we only choose the President alone.

• It is a representation from representatives of groups or clubs and organized by them.

• The presidential election can be conducted through the system up to date such as:
email. In Indonesia, we don’t use it yet.
• In Indonesia, Coaching student activities under the auspices of the Vice Rector III
field that serves as a coach. If in Sydney (Australia) coaches in student organizations
have a special coach prepared by the University to foster student organizations that
will work automatically. Coaches here are paid exclusively by the University.

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3.1..2. Club and Society Management

The position of club and society under the leadership of the University's
student union itself, Where the student union shelters more than 100 clubs and
communities, the system they use is a system where the units affiliated ¸ who want to
be recognized must meet various requirements to be a part of the union, and if it is
affiliated then there will be many facilities provided by the student union to the unit.
Most campuses have various types of units that students are divided into, namely:

1. Culture/ religious/ humanity

2. Business / career
3. Media/ Performance
4. Science
5. Political
6. Social
7. Sport

Conditions to be affiliated with the other:

a. Special unique
b. Open to anyone
c. Running elections is a good leader
d. There are administrative and financial reports
e. Willing to follow codes of ethics in student unions
3.1..3. Funding Mechanism

Funding for student organizations in Indonesia are taken at the University

where the process is often complicated, delaying the implementation of activities. If
in Australia (Sydney) they have sufficient funds to directly fund their own student
organization.

Their Funding reached AUS $ .2.000.000 per year. It is of course a very high
value if we compare it with student organization funds in Indonesia. Therefore, it
requires various types of businesses to be able to run the organization. Apart from

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university funds, they have to think hard to be seek more funds to manage their
student union's position as a corporation to get profit. Some of the work done, among
others:

1. mini market
2. internet cafe
3. billiard
4. game centre
5. cafetaria
6. bookstore
7. pubs and bars
8. etc
All business units are managed well and professionally so that the benefits are also
very high, and able to provide services to students. It can be an example for us of
course in doing business units at each campus.
3.1..4. Work Program

If you see the patterns in the student work programs at the Australian union, then we
will see a different orientation, because of differences in culture that make a
difference in the student's own activities. They were more mobile in the field of
student welfare services, or student services and entertainment to the students. They
also do a small part of social movement politics. Here are some activities they do at
each campus (in general every campus is not much different):

1. Second hand books, selling used books suitable to be used for new students.
2. Clubs and societies events, activities undertaken by the unit of student activities.
3. Campus events, campus-scale activities, such as student games, orientation week.
4. Pricing strategies, pricing and menu of food in the canteen menu
5. Makes students diaries and the various instructions on how to be motivated and well
attend campus
6. Legal advice, provide legal advocacy or other to students, union attorney also
provided for students affected by the problem of the constitution

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7. Seminars, talk shows, Etc

8. Campaign support or protest against campus policies and government policies
9. Student’s magazine
10. Centralized training, sports club coaches here are professional players, so they are
working with professional sports clubs in Sydney, and they have someone to join
training programs and rations with game tickets for some students.
11. Party, there are many different types of parties held with a wide variety of party
themes.
12. Social Activities
The University of Sydney is the most common campus doing various activities.
Rallying and marching were spearheaded by the campus, or in other words, this
campus is very keen to criticize government policy and the wishes of the people to
inspire a massive movement. University of Sydney union also took several other
campuses with support for their actions. Some of the issues they did in the last 2
years include:
1. Abortion rights
2. Freedom for palestine
3. Rejection of the policy of Voluntary student Unionism ( VSU ) Law
4. Environmental issues
5. Pathriatism issue
6. An end to the war in Iraq
7. International student right and equity
8. Women’s rights

This campus can be an example for social movement politics. Apart from that, the
pattern of their massive movement was really well planned. When they were rallying
and marching, 1-2 weeks before that, they made a petition to all students and the
community around to support their action, and this gave them added strength, the
action was planned and they had long-term preparations, They also did broadcasting
or interviews briefly to some of the media before the action and when their actions
took place the average number of participants reached 2000. They had good

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attributes to support the action, for example uniformed shirts with the theme a
particular action. The massive movement was very successful.

For social activities they have several activities such as, back to aboriginals, back to
school, bike to campus, environmental campaigns, etc. These activities also received
good responses from the community at large so that it became a top program in the
social field for the student union in Australia.

13. Orientation Week

Orientation for new students are held for one week, and apart from the welcoming
institution, This activity is also dominated by the recognition unit, a type of open
house for the introduction of units clubs and societies, and is in a cluster by several
activities such as watching movies together, dance, music concert, comedy night,
games, simulations, seminars, campus tours, etc. They activities try to unite the old
students and new students to get to know each other better. In addition, violence is
rare because the prientation is filled with fun activities.
3.2. Suggestions

On the advice and recommendations part, this will be divided into several stakeholders in order
to better achieve the objectives and evaluation process. This section will be presented in the
tabular form below.

Table I

Suggestions and Recommendations

Stakeholder Suggestions and Recommendations

• Indonesia is expected to be able and willing to open the
eyes of the world at large, especially other universities in
Indonesia Student the world. It is very necessary for Indonesia to make
organization students able to compete at the global level and compete
in it.
• There is collaboration with the university in order to

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achieve a system of student affairs and academic balance

• Develop a good appreciation of culture in the student
activities, so there is a process of learning and good
learning among students. It is an additional motivation for
students.
• Conducting an activity on an international scale that
increases the interaction and communication with foreign
students
• UKMs Development in their campus.
• As an institution it would be wise and appropriate if the
support of institutions for allocating student funds with
large numbers and with the facilities budget. Student
welfare services are inadequate
• Universities should increase the activities capable of
providing creativity value and soft skills for students.
• Universities should be able to create innovator and
creator, not only students with high academic standards.
Universities and
• Development of facilities directly managed by the
educational institutions
students for supporting the activities of student
organizations.
• Establish communications with overseas campuses for
there to be more exchange of ideas and inspiration that
will establishe a good relationship between each campus
In Indonesia and abroad.
• The provision of rewards to the student active in student
organizations.
• Making real education funding by 20% immediately (not
Government
including the salaries of teachers and lecturers).
(Department of
• Improve the quality and equity of the campus, especially
Education, DIKTI)
in terms of strengthening the capacity of students in

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competing in a global world.

• Higher expectation of activities for the provision of grants
to student organizations through the selection process.
Perhaps like activities in the form of competitive grants
program (FLE) which may be intended to support the
activities of student organizations. Which is expected to be
a long term asset.
• Facilitate the opportunity for Indonesian students to
interact with foreign students.
• The programs for student leaders to be able to give insight
to these leaders to be developed on each campus.
• Program prepared a comparative study with the best, with
a more mature planning
• Agreed and in internalization with the purpose of the trip
and what could be taken from this trip
• A well planned goal which is to be found in every campus.
If possible there are 3 main things that need to see / to
Further Studies Program
encounter, namely student organizations, faculty and
academic environment, facilities and laboratories
• There is an escort of senior students who have been
abroad before, so that participants feel more comfortable
in communicating and more points can guide what aims
can be achieved in the visit.

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