President Jokowi Meets Indonesian Students in Wellington

President Jokowi and The First Lady engaged in a casual conversation with Indonesian students at Waterfront Wellington on Monday (19/3). (Photo by: Bureau of Press and Media)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday (19/3) at Waterfront, Wellington, met with 29 Indonesian students living in New Zealand, including 15 students from Papua.

During the meeting, the students shared their aspirations to the President, one of which was the expansion of employment opportunities for overseas graduates.

“If I could express my opinion, Sir, since many students here have finished their education, I hope there will be employment opportunities for them in Indonesia, so they can return to Indonesia and serve our country,” one of the students said, to the applause from the other students.

Apart from the students, Indonesian people staying in New Zealand also joined the meeting, one of whom was Marvijs Ajoomi, a lecturer from Papua, who shared his story with the president.

“I came here when I was 15. I could not speak English at all at that time. I am grateful to receive an opportunity to finish my education, from high school until post-graduate degree. Now I am teaching at one of the universities here,” he said.

In response that, President Jokowi noted down all the students’ aspirations and explained that the Government is currently building infrastructures in Papua. “The Government is building roads, bridges, airports and ports to open isolated areas there,” the President said.

Joining the President during the meeting with the students were First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Tantowi Yahya. (BPMI/EN) (RI/EP/NASTER)