In response to the 2005 Earthquake on the island of Nias in North Sumatra, Indonesia ACPET agreed to fund 200 tuition scholarships for students attending private Teacher Training and Management Colleges in the regional capital Gunung Sitoli. This tragedy happened less than six months after the deadly Boxing Day Tsunami of December 26th 2004 which killed over 300,000 people in Sumatra. The total amount contributed by ACPET members for the Nias scholarship was $A25,000.00.

ACPET had earlier initiated a tsunami victim scholarship program at Al Muslim University in the province of Bireun in North Eastern Aceh. Under this project full tuition scholarships were provided for 322 students to allow them to continue their studies at the private University in Bireun. The total amount contributed by ACPET members for the Aceh scholarship was $A75, 000.00 so in total $A100, 000.00 has been contributed by ACPET to the tsunami and earthquake victims in Sumatra. This is a magnificent response and has been warmly applauded by the Indonesian and Australian governments, the Australian Embassy and the recipient communities.

ACPET member and Associate Director of the Asean Focus Group Michael Fay has assisted in coordinating this project over the past two and a half years. On his most recent trip to Indonesia Michael was able to complete the agreed ACPET contribution to the Nias project and his report follows:

On Thursday January 17th I met with M/s Silvana Sinar the coordinator of private education and training for the provinces of North Sumatra and Aceh together with the rector of IKIP (Teacher Training College ) Gunung Sitoli, Nias and the Australian Honorary Consul for North and West Sumatra Mr Mick Stevens.

A cheque from Acpet was handed over to the rector made out to IKIP Gunung Sitoli for the outstanding amount of 53,550.000 Indonesian rupiah (approx AUD 6,694).This completes the agreed payment for student fees under the ACPET Nias Scholarship.

It was agreed as per the spirit of the agreement that the surplus amount 2,912,700 Indonesian rupiah (approx AUD 364) would be used to assist in funding a two day teacher training workshop at Gunung Sitoli Teacher Training College by the Australia Centre Medan in the first half of 2008.This workshop will assist up to 15 English language teachers working at the college to develop their English language teaching skills. The Indonesian side has agreed to contribute one return airfare for a teacher trainer and accommodation for 3 nights.

I am pleased to report that the scholarship program has been successfully concluded and reflects very favourably on ACPET and all parties involved. In particular I would like to thank the Australian honorary consul in Medan Mr Mick Stevens for his ongoing support and the ACPET national chair for championing this generous response within ACPET.

It is hoped some of the heads of private education and training from various Indonesian provinces will attend the ACPET National Conference in Hobart in August 2008

The rector of IKIP Gunung Sitoli , Private Education and Training head Silvana Sinar and Mick Stevens at the Australia Centre Medan (photo by Michael Fay)