Western Sydney University (WSU) Indonesia, in collaboration with Launch Pad, held the "CONNECT-ED: Innovating Across Borders – Indonesia and Australia Startup Collaboration" event to strengthen collaboration between Indonesian and Australian startups.
"CONNECT-ED provides a glimpse into how startups and innovators from Australia and Indonesia can work together to expand their global reach, accelerate the development of digital talent, and strengthen a culture of innovation," said Western Sydney University Chancellor Jennifer Westacott AC in a press release on Saturday.
"Both countries have complementary strengths, Indonesia with its rapid digital growth and Australia with its established research and infrastructure, so collaboration can produce more globally competitive solutions," he said.
CONNECT-ED is part of WSU Indonesia's commitment to strengthening educational collaboration, human resource development, and innovation programs that connect Australia with Southeast Asia.
This initiative also aims to strengthen strategic relations between Indonesia and Australia in developing sustainable innovation and efforts to increase expansion opportunities for start-up entrepreneurs.
The CONNECT-ED event held at the WSU Indonesia campus in Surabaya City on Thursday (11/13) was attended by more than 100 participants, including startup founders, investors, business leaders, government representatives, and academics.
The discussion, supported by the Ministry of Communication and Digital, included concrete examples such as Canva's expansion in Indonesia and Privy's entry into the Australian market, as well as trends in artificial intelligence technology and cybersecurity.
In the discussion, Westacott emphasized the importance of developing human resources with digital technology capabilities through education and incubation programs, talent mobility, and research collaboration.
WSU Senior Manager of Global Entrepreneurship Inu Rana said that CONNECT-ED is a knowledge exchange space for Indonesian and Australian startups.
"This event encourages collaboration that provides real benefits to both ecosystems," he said.