Australian Government supported programs reimagined with digital cross-cultural exchange
Australia Indonesia Connections’ well established AIMEP (Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange program) and AAMEP (Australia-ASEAN Muslim Exchange Program) are long-running successful programs for professional Muslim leaders from Australia and the ASEAN region, supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). In the two decades that it has been running, it has seen hundreds of Australians travelling to ASEAN nations, and vice versa, for an intense 1-2 week program. The goal has always been to build connections and increase collaboration between these neighbouring regions.
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Gould Studio was tasked to reimagine these in-person programs into a digital experience. We closely worked together with Australia Indonesia Connection (AIC) to co-create this unique digital experience. With a proud reputation preceding it, MEP’s authenticity and professionalism was a key element to preserve in the digital shift.
Quality and engagement was kept at the forefront of considerations when designing the program. Utilising tools such as Zoom and Thinkific we created a digital environment elevating the learning experience. Slack served as the hub of communication allowing delegates to communicate amongst themselves and allowing us a steady stream of feedback to further fine tune our program structure.
In-person programs saw much wider community engagement. Utilising social media we were able to reach an even wider audience connected to delegates, speakers and the institutions involved. Weekly highlight videos uploaded to Youtube and “Meet the Delegate” Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn posts allowed friends, colleagues, alumni and general followers of the MEP to peer into the program as it ran for 8 weeks.
A key metric of success for the programs was the quality of connections that followed. A grassroots program aimed at young leaders from neighboring countries in hopes of building a brighter future together.
The digital MEP was able to take on 5x the number of delegates as the in person program - increasing the possibility of cross collaboration between a wider range of delegates. This was evident during the 2021 AIMEP when the COVID-19 pandemic reached record numbers in Indonesia - 2 delegates paired up with representatives from the Muhammadiyah Society in Indonesia to raise over 33,000 AUD in aid.
Many of the delegates continued their interactions after the program. Half of the Australian delegates now plan on travelling overseas to meet their fellow ASEAN delegates. Both ASEAN and Australian delegates plan to collaborate to produce digital social content, hold conferences, set up educational and social community initiatives, and connect their work and volunteer organisations with other delegates and their organisations.
The website was designed for applicants to understand more about the programs, enquire and apply. Utilising best usability and web practices, the website is a space to stay up to date with the MEP.
We believed that the potential of AIMEP and AAMEP does not have to end at the conclusion of each year’s program. The team envisioned methods of continuing the program passively and furthering the value of past delegations. In response - an Alumni Directory was strategically designed to be the nexus of current delegates and alumni encouraging future collaboration.
