Indonesia-Australia’s midwifery exchange puts women at center

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – An exchange on midwifery practice between Indonesia and Australia has highlighted the importance of women-centered maternal care, with midwives strengthening their ability to understand and communicate with patients, Binawan University Vice Rector Farouk Abdullah Alwyni said.

“International collaboration is not only about bringing institutions together or introducing perspectives from other countries. More importantly, students gain opportunities to learn from real-world experience and understand differences in practice,” Alwyni was quoted as saying in a press statement received here on Sunday.

He said international experience was needed to build a global perspective and strengthen students’ readiness to respond the developments in healthcare.

Learning through practical experience in different countries also allows students to see how healthcare competencies are applied in broader contexts.

The perspective was discussed during a guest lecture titled “Midwifery in Practice: What Women Really Need—Lessons from Australia and Indonesia”, held as part of an international internship partnership between Binawan University and Australia’s University of Queensland (UQ).

UQ Associate Professor Dr. Megan Cooper shared insights into midwifery practice in Australia, including midwives’ roles, responsibilities, and challenges in delivering care centered on women’s needs, Alwyni said.

The exchange also included hands-on practice. Five UQ students had previously completed placements at two independent midwifery practices in Jakarta, gaining insight into midwifery within Indonesia’s healthcare and cultural context.

Megan was quoted as saying in the press statement that midwifery practice requires a comprehensive understanding of women’s needs and support throughout their healthcare journey.

Perspectives from other countries, Cooper said, can help practitioners reflect on existing practices and identify lessons that could be applied.

“Midwifery is fundamentally about understanding what women need and supporting them throughout their journey. Learning from different countries allows us to reflect on our own practices and understand different perspectives,” she said.

The Indonesia-Australia exchange introduced students to clinical practice, women-centered care, communication, cultural awareness, and adaptability. These areas complement clinical skills in preparing future midwives to address women’s diverse needs.

UQ’s midwifery education integrates academic learning, clinical skills development, simulation, and clinical placements to build students’ competencies.

Such experiences support cross-border learning and help students understand differences in practice and reflect on local care.

The Indonesia-Australia collaboration on knowledge and practical experience is expected to broaden students’ and academics’ perspectives on maternal care.

Cross-border learning also creates opportunities to develop practices that are increasingly responsive to women’s needs and the social contexts of their communities.