A Night of Celebration and Connection at the Australian Alumni Gala Dinner in Kupang

A mesmerising evening unfolded in Kupang on 6 December as we sang, danced, and reconnected with fellow alumni at the Australian Alumni Gala Dinner! Held at the Aston Kupang Hotel, nearly 200 alumni gathered for a festive night, celebrating the transformative power of education, collaboration, and the global bonds forged through Australian educational experiences.

Ms Jo Stevens, Australia's Consul-General in Bali, NTB & NTT, set the welcoming tone for the event with her warm remarks. Distinguished alumni Prof Maxs U. E. Sanam, Rector of Universitas Nusa Cendana Kupang, also gave an inspiring keynote speech highlighting his experience gaining a world-class education in Australia.

A special spotlight shone on Prof Frans Umbu Datta, who received a plaque from Ms Jo Stevens, recognising his outstanding contributions as an Australian alumnus. The night became even more festive, adorned by the amazing performance of Australian alumnus Natalino Mella, who played a traditional musical instrument called Sasando, and Inggid Wakano, a talented singer who led the famous dance “Gemu Fa Mi Re” along with all the attendees.

The Australia Gala Dinner in Kupang serves as a spectacular conclusion to a series of galas held this year, commemorating the 70^th Anniversary of Australian Scholarships in Indonesia. Over seven decades, Australia and Indonesia have collaborated in advancing human capital development, addressing societal and economic challenges, and fostering enduring connections between the two nations.

Here's to the continued journey of shared knowledge, mutual understanding, and lasting friendships between Australia and Indonesia as we pave the way for another era of educational excellence and connections!