Driving Innovation Through Australia-Indonesia Knowledge Exchange
Strengthening Australia-Indonesia business Connections in the digital economy sector
Overview
Strategic Development Group (Strategic) implemented the Professional Placements Program on behalf of the Australian Government to enable Australian and Southeast Asian businesses to send and receive early- to mid-career professionals for international professional placements. Through this program, Strategic has enabled knowledge exchange and capacity-building opportunities for 58 businesses, fostering enduring business-to-business relationships grounded in strong people-to-people connections.
In September 2025, Indonesian financial operations and business services company Ledgerowl hosted Maryam Hamdan, Founder and CEO of Australian digital transformation and IT services company MHMS CloudWorkforce, for a four-week professional placement under the Professional Placements Program.
Participating organisations
Two organisations participated in this professional placement.
Australian Business: MHMS CloudWorkforce
IT services and digital transformation company, Perth, Australia
MHMS CloudWorkforce is an IT services and digital transformation company that provides digital transformation, managed IT services, data and AI solutions, and software development services to clients across Asia.
The Opportunity: The program enabled MHMS CloudWorkforce Founder and CEO Maryam Hamdan to undertake a placement with a financial operations and business services company in Jakarta, gaining firsthand exposure to Indonesia's dynamic business environment and workforce landscape. MHMS CloudWorkforce saw the program as an opportunity to better understand regional trends, build cross-border connections, and explore new partnership opportunities across Southeast Asia.
“I joined the program to gain regional insights into how technology and workforce development are evolving in Southeast Asia. I also wanted to explore cross-border partnerships.”
Indonesian Organisation: Ledgerowl
Financial operations and business services company, Jakarta, Indonesia
Ledgerowl is a financial operations and business services company that helps businesses manage bookkeeping, tax compliance, financial operations, and reconciliation through a combination of technology-enabled solutions and professional support.
The Opportunity: By hosting Maryam, Ledgerowl sought to share expertise, gain new perspectives on Australian business practices, and strengthen connections with forward-thinking organisations across the region.
Placement outcomes
Upon arriving in Jakarta, Maryam participated in a three-day cultural orientation program, delivered in partnership with ACICIS, designed to build participants’ understanding of Indonesia’s business, cultural, and economic landscape. Through embassy briefings, industry visits, networking events, and introductory language and cultural sessions, she developed a stronger understanding of Australia-Indonesia business opportunities while building connections with government, industry, and business leaders across the region.
Australian participant Maryam Hamdan, Founder & CEO, MHMS CloudWorkforce (left), meeting the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Rod Brazier, during her professional placement
During the four-week placement, Maryam built relationships with Indonesian clients, government representatives, and industry leaders, expanding her professional network and identifying potential partners, clients, and business opportunities. The placement also delivered an immediate outcome for Ledgerowl, with Maryam making a strategic hire for the company.
Maryam contributed to a company-wide digital transformation project, applying Australian business and project management practices to support its delivery. She also explored emerging approaches to digital security and process improvement, identifying ideas that could strengthen efficiency and innovation within the business.
Mutual Benefits and Broader Impact from this Placement
For the Timorese business:
Strengthened professional and business connections with Australian organisations and networks
Exposure to fresh regional business practices and project management approaches
For the Australian business:
Gained firsthand insights into Indonesia's business environment, workforce trends, and digital transformation landscape.
Expanded relationships with Indonesian clients, industry leaders, and government stakeholders.
Explored potential partnership and business development opportunities across Southeast Asia.
Maryam Hamdan, Founder & CEO, MHMS CloudWorkforce (left) with members of the Jakarta 2025 program cohort during a weekend activity in Jakarta
Conclusion
Maryam Hamdan, Founder & CEO, MHMS CloudWorkforce during her professional placement
The Professional Placements Program enabled MHMS CloudWorkforce and Ledgerowl to move beyond networking and develop meaningful professional relationships built on shared learning and collaboration. For Maryam, the placement provided valuable market insights, expanded her regional network, and uncovered new opportunities for business growth across Southeast Asia. For Ledgerowl, the exchange brought fresh perspectives, practical expertise, and valuable contributions to key business initiatives.
The connections established, knowledge exchanged, and opportunities identified have laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration and strengthened ties between Australian and Indonesian businesses, demonstrating the long-term value of international professional exchanges.
About the Professional Placements program
The Professional Placements Program was an 18-month pilot program funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The program offered support to Australian and Southeast Asian businesses to send or host temporary professional placements of young professionals between Australia and Southeast Asia. Countries included Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
