Events

The Jakarta event held last month for the Decarbonization Pathways for Indonesian Bus Infrastructure (DIBI) Project was a significant success. Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this initiative aimed to connect electric buses with sustainable energy use in Indonesia.

The event represented an important step towards achieving Indonesia's zero-emission public transport targets for 2030 and 2045, while also laying the groundwork for greener, smarter, and more inclusive urban mobility.

This collaborative initiative is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the KONEKSI Knowledge Platform that supports partnerships between Australian and Indonesian organisations for inclusive and sustainable policy and technology.

On 12 August 2025, a high-level Indonesian delegation visited Canberra. The DIBI project team, invited by the High Commission and the ACT Government, presented a detailed project brief and accompanied the delegation to the Woden Bus Depot to observe the ACT’s 100% electric buses and maintenance processes.

The delegation expressed strong interest in strengthening technical coordination and mutual understanding on the implementation of the EV Mechanism, and in facilitating partnerships among government agencies, research institutions, and key industry players across Indonesia and Australia.

Delegation members included Mr. Elen Setiadi (Deputy Minister of Energy and Resources, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs), Mr. Satya Bhakti Parikesit (Deputy Minister, Cabinet Secretary’s Office), Mr. Agus Wibowo (Assistant Deputy Minister, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs), and Mr. Hanif Bachtiar (Senior Policy Analyst).

The visit furthered DIBI’s goal of translating research into practical, inclusive policy outcomes, building bridges between policy, industry, and academia.

The project launching and signing ceremony of the partnership agreement between Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and the University of Canberra (UC) was held on 18 November 2024 in Canberra, Australia.

The project, supported by KONEKSI – Australia-Indonesia Knowledge Partnership Platform under DFAT, will explore decarbonisation pathways for Indonesia’s bus infrastructure (DIBI).

This initiative showcases excellent #collaboration across borders, involving four Australian and six Indonesian institutions and organisations. The program unites #academics and #experts from both countries to enhance cooperation and translate research into practical, inclusive policies that benefit both nations and society.

The ceremony included a formal welcome and remarks by principal investigator A/Prof Ahmed Imran, PhD, FACS, Professor Janine Deakin (Dean, UC Faculty of Science and Technology), H.E. Dr Siswo Pramono (Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia and Vanuatu), Ms. Claire Scott (DFAT), Ms. Alison Drury (DISR), and UNS Rector Prof. Dr. Hartono (online).

The visiting Indonesian team was led by Prof. Wahyudi Sutopo, Dr. Renny Rochani, and Dr. Budi Yulianto from Universitas Sebelas Maret. Other key investigators include Toby Roxburgh, Dr. Idris F. Sulaiman (NEVCE), and Emeritus Professor Robert Fitzgerald.

Participants included Mukhamad Najib, José I. Zapata, Dr. Tech Sholihin As’ad, Pringgo Widyo Laksono, Rahmi Andarini, Rislima Sitompul, Ilyas Taufiqurrohman, Tanty Nurhayati Djafar, Katie Purnell, Farhan Shahriar, Judy Anderson GAICD, Ben Elliston, and Danuta Pniewski.