EIGHT INDONESIANS RECEIVE AUSTRALIAN ALUMNI AWARDS

Jakarta, Feb 7 (ANTARA) - A group of eight Indonesians received Australian Alumni Awards at a ceremony hosted by Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer here Friday night.

According to an Australian Embassy media release, the Distinguished Alumni Award was awarded to three recipients for their lifelong career achievements and contributions to Indonesia, as well as maintaining links between Australia and Indonesia.

The recipients for 2009 were Mrs Lubna Algadrie, a lecturer of Surabaya Institute of Technology; Dr I Made Nitis, Emeritus Professor of Udayana University; and Abdullah Alamudi a member of Press Council, Jakarta.

Ambassador Farmer also presented the Inspirational Alumni Award to five outstanding alumni whose work, including in a voluntary capacity, was an inspiration for others.

The recipients were:
* Dr Deddy Mulyana, Dean, Faculty of Communication Science, Padjajaran University
* Ms Khairiah Syahabuddin, Lecturer, Faculty of English, IAIN Aceh
* Ms Netty Muharni, Head, Cooperation and SMEs Office, Aceh
* Mr Hadi Cahyadi, Head, Central Jakarta Rotary
* Ms Fanina Yulianthi, Head, Young Entrepreneur, Buleleng Regency Bali.

"These individuals have worked tirelessly towards a particular cause driven by their passion for contributing to improving the lives of others," Farmer said.

The presentations were made before finalists from the nine categories in the 2009 Australian Alumni Awards, with winners to be announced at an Awards Dinner on 21 February in Jakarta.

The Australian Alumni Awards are designed to recognize the talent, achievements and contributions of Indonesians who have studied in Australia.