Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia South Australia (PPIA-SA)
Indonesian students and alumni celebrating Indonesia Independence Day 2022
Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia South Australia (PPIA-SA) - Indonesian Students Association of SA
Our SAcommunity Team are aware that many South Australian community groups are looking to rebuild their community due to a reduction in active membership as a result of COVID-19. Intern Jesslyn Danli introduced us to PPIA-SA and Media Intern Cecilia Mao had the opportunity to interview the President of the PPIA-SA and find out more.
The Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia South Australia (PPIA-SA) is one of those groups looking for new members to unite the Indonesian community in Adelaide. It is always a challenge being an international student and studying aboard in a brand-new environment, speaking a different language, and practicing another culture. The PPIA-SA gives students from Indonesian backgrounds, an opportunity to meet others from their community, providing a place where people can find belonging and the familiarity of home, while welcoming new opportunities in Adelaide together.
PPIA SA with Flinders, UniSA and Adelaide University banners, far right President Dian Dini Primadani
Meet the President of the PPIA-SA
In an interview with SAcommunity, Dian Dini Primadani, the President of the PPIA-SA shared her experiences over the years she has been working with the association. Ms Primadani’s involvement with the group started in 2018, joining the organisation she then met the former president of PPIA-University of Adelaide (PPIA-UofA) and signed up for the committee. Her role comprised of helping PPIA through supporting the media division, with marketing, promoting awareness, and creating visual designs on social media accounts creating a cause community.
In 2019, Dini became the president of PPIA-UofA through presidential election, and in 2020, Dini was selected as the vice-president of PPIA-SA. Once the former president of the PPIA-SA graduated in 2020, Dini then became the interim president (replacing the former president). In 2021, Dini was eventually selected as the President of The Indonesian Students' Association in South Australia through official election with her position continuing over 2022.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia and Vanuatu, Mr. Yohanes Kristiarto Legowo, met with Indonesian student representatives in SA 2021.
History and Aims of the PPIA-SA
PPIA has a national history and was first established on the 8th March 1981, when a group of Indonesian students all around Australia gathered together in Canberra and decided to unite the Indonesian student community in Australia. Today, there are many branches of the PPIA with state chapters and university sub-branches, (in South Australia there is the PPIA Flinders University, PPIA University of Adelaide and PPIA University of South Australia.)
The Vision and Mission of the PPIA are to assist and accommodate the aspirations, interests and talents of Indonesian students, supporting students through professional connections and networks, and helping the Indonesian community in Australia. The organisation also has partnerships with the Indonesian government and industry with the goal to drive change and contribute to development, building a better community in Indonesia. PPIA-SA has been involved in fundraising activities for both the bushfires in Australia in 2020 and for the East Nusa Tenggara flooding and landslides in Indonesia.
Singing “Sajojo” together in 2021 – at the twice yearly Back For Good (BFG) Farewell Party event for graduates
Activities and Events
The organisation continues to hold many activities and events for their members in Adelaide which aim to create strong bonds within their student community. Recently celebrating an event for the Independence Day of Indonesia, a national holiday commemorating the anniversary of Indonesia’s proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945.
A day of festivities to share in the Indonesian culture, celebrations include music, games and competitions – such as the Kerupuk-eating race where kerupuks are hung on a thread and participants race to eat them hands free - , as well as a range of Indonesian foods. Such events are always free for Indonesian students, but they would love everyone’s support, such as sponsorship and partnership with their organization, to allow the association to have the fundamental funds they need to continue to run the organisation.
PPIA-SA President Dian Dini Primadani emphasised the importance of the group, it’s aims and activities, and finance needs as a balancing act explaining that "If we have great input, we will create great output with our students, supporting our community, in Australia and Indonesia.”
Indonesian Students in SA at the BFG to celebrate the graduation of friends and senior’s
