The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and PT Gramedia Asri Media (Gramedia) are realizing cooperation in strengthening Indonesian language learning in Australia through the provision of smart libraries or Smart Libraries. This realization was done through the signing of the Cooperation Agreement conducted online by the Indonesian Education and Culture Attaché for Australia M. Imran Hanafi, representing the Embassy of Canberra, and The Operational Director of PT Gramedia Asri Media Victorinus Sugiarto on Thursday (15/04/2021).

According to Consul General of The Republic of Indonesia Sydney Heru Hartanto Subolo in his speech at this event, the provision of Smart Library can be the answer to the challenges of Learning Bahasa Indonesia in Australia in general. The same thing was also conveyed by Kestity Pringgoharjono, Chairman of the Indonesian Language and Culture Hall (BBBI) New South Wales who also initiated the idea of this cooperation since 9 months ago between the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, KJRI Sydney, and Gramedia.

"This collaboration is a strategic step taken in supporting Indonesian teachers and teachers who have difficulty obtaining teaching enrichment materials especially since the pandemic," Kestity said when explaining the challenges of Indonesian language learning in Australia in the opening of this event.

Responding to this, Gramedia Operations Director Victorinus Sugiarto also explained, Gramedia Smart Library is a digital library platform that is the answer to the constraints of place, distance, time, and cost in the procurement of physical books as a medium of Learning Bahasa Indonesia in Australia so far.

So, he added, Gramedia Smart Library is expected to provide convenience for readers and teachers to provide new learning media to conduct joint evaluations. Gramedia Smart Library is also a medium to introduce the best work of Indonesian writers with all their cultures.

"Appreciation to Indonesian writers that with this cooperation, his work has 'officially' gone international, where this becomes a pride and fosters the spirit to continue working," said Victorinus Sugiarto.

Both parties agreed that Gramedia Smart Library is expected to support Indonesian culture and language learning through the provision of easy access to interactive and engaging digital content for young Australians.