Content
Indonesian Ambassador praises USC
The University of the Sunshine Coast received high praise from the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Primo Alui Joelianto, during USC’s Graduation ceremony last night (Wednesday 20 April).
In addition to the usual pomp and ceremony of Graduation, the crowd of 1,500 people at USC’s Sports Stadium was treated to a touching speech from the Canberra-based diplomat.
The Ambassador congratulated the University for its long-standing commitment to partner Indonesia on projects, particularly those benefiting the Indonesian Province of Papua.
These include USC’s provision of professional development programs for educators and health providers, its assistance with sustainability projects, and the recent provision of laptops for Papuan school children. All these activities are conducted under the University's Memorandum of Understanding with the Province of Papua and with its Indonesian partner association, Willi Toisuta and Associates.
The Ambassador, along with several dignitaries from Papua, attended the Graduation ceremony to celebrate the presentation of an Honorary Doctorate to His Excellency Barnabas Suebu, the Governor of Papua.
Seven Indonesian journalists also were on campus to cover the special occasion.
The Honorary Doctorate recognises Governor Suebu’s significant contribution to conservation and his sustained service to the Papuan community through educational links with local, national and international bodies.
He has won worldwide acclaim for implementing forest reserve systems that now protect more than half of Indonesia’s endemic species across 23 million hectares of rainforest.
During his Graduation Address last night, Governor Suebu encouraged graduates to strive for greatness and to tackle the world’s problems with confidence.
“You must rise to the unprecedented challenges of our time,” he said. “In the coming years you and your generation will be asked to give more than ever you thought you could.”
Governor Suebu spoke of present dangers that included forest clearing, land degradation, erosion of biodiversity, pollution, human-induced climate change, poverty, hunger and a lack of education for all.
However, he encouraged the graduands to be positive about a future “full of possibilities and problems solved” and one that would bring new challenges.
“You, the young people, are full of vigour and vitality, like the sun at 8 or 9 in the morning. Our hope is placed on you. The world is yours. This nation’s future is yours. I eagerly look forward to see what you achieve in your life.”
Governor Suebu also spoke of how strongly connected he felt to the Sunshine Coast and of the joy he had experienced in becoming an Honorary Doctor of USC.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would receive such an honour as this,” he said.
“I humbly accept this honour, but this honour belongs to my people as well. I depend on them to protect and preserve our rainforests in order to save the planet.”
— Terry Walsh