Current Security Situation

On 30 September 2009 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, is the most heavily affected area with considerable damage to buildings and a rising number of casualties. No ACICIS students were in these areas.

We stress that the situation in Yogyakarta and in Malang, where ACICIS students study at their host universities, remains safe and calm.

During emergency situations, ACICIS follows an agreed Risk Management Strategy. The Resident Director and the Yogyakarta Program Manager are on call, available to any students wishing to speak with them at any time. The Resident Director, who is well informed about the security situation, is also the designated area warden for the Yogyakarta area for the Australian embassy in Jakarta and is thus kept directly up to date on potential problems by the embassy.

From their arrival in Indonesia, students are registered with the Australian Embassy and are informed when Australian Government travel advisories are reviewed with new safety and security information. They are instructed to maintain the highest possible level of personal security at all times. ACICIS policy remains that the program continues to operate but if any student wishes to leave, they are free to do so.

The Resident Director liaises closely with the host university staff to ensure there is a high level of appreciation on the importance of security at all times. The mood at the host universities and the communities within which the students reside continues to be calm and welcoming.

If you have any concerns regarding this matter, please ring the ACICIS secretariat on 08 9360 6254 or email acicis@murdoch.edu.au

Professor David Hill
ACICIS Consortium Director
1 October 2009