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Award from the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Yes, I received an award from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ibu Retno Marsudi. For me, this is truly special. Receiving recognition from the Foreign Minister was something I never imagined when I first ventured into boundary issues. Time moves quickly. The universe conspires to make things happen with remarkable swiftness. To others, this award might not seem extraordinary, but for me, it’s a different story. For me, for my family, and especially for my parents, this is a story that will color their conversations in coffee shops, at village gatherings, in community meetings, at senior citizen events, and even at lively mass yoga sessions.

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Embarking on A Journey to Become Aspiring Scholars

I gave a talk at a pre-departure session for LPDP scholarship awardees on 5 September 2024. Around 300 students were there to participate in an online session. As always, having a session with LPDP awardees is always rewarding. I could easily feel their energy.

Even though it was an online session, I could easily feel their enthusiasm. I gave the lecture when I was in Salatiga for another session. At UKSW in Salatiga, I also gave another lecture regarding my experience in pursuing my PhD study. Please read my other post for a more comprehensive understanding about my other lecture.

Back to the LPDP event, the session was about becoming aspiring scholars. They are about to start their study in highly reputable institutions around the Globe. I can imagine, they will grow into great intellectuals. Having understood this, it is essential for them to prepare themselves to contribute in the society where they belong. Hence, helping them prepare themselves to be aspiring scholars in the future, for me, is a privilege.

I had fun discussing with the students, virtually. They had good questions that provoked my views on being aspiring scholars. I wish them best of luck!

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ROAD TO PHD ABROAD: Encouraging Young Lecturers to Study in International Institutions

I shared my experiences in accomplishing a PhD study with young lecturers of Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana (UKSW) in Salatiga. Around 50 young lecturers were there, enthusiastically listened to my stories. I also gave some tips and tricks in securing scholarships.

The event was fun and with full supports from Madam Rector Intiyas. I just realized that she is the first female rector of UKSW. Such a courageous and brilliant lady with progressive minds. It seems that she is also close to her colleagues, young lecturers at UKSW. She was there all the time during my session to show her full support.

Before the session, Rector Intiyas also took me to a cafe she manages. It was a relatively old house with various kinds of arts. I found a great number of paintings, antiquate collections, statues and some others. It really feels like a combination of classic values, strong tradition and contemporary art. The rector informed me how she has been producing works and policies while siting there at the cafe while enjoying coffee, traditional music, and the aroma of incense sticks.

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Building Fences between Indonesia and Its Neighboring Countries

Indonesia is now accelerating maritime boundary settlement with its neighbors. Negotiations are in queue with several countries including Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Palau, and Timor Leste. The Director General of International Law and Treaty of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a comprehensive update regarding Indonesia’s journey in finalizing its maritime boundaries with several neighbors. He also made clear points regarding challenges Indonesia is facing in negotiating tables.

On 22 August 2024, I presented my ideas on maritime boundary delimitation between Indonesia and its neighboring countries in Jakarta. It was on the consultation meeting held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. I was there by an invitation in my capacity as a member of the expert team of the technical team of the Indonesian delegation for international maritime boundary delimitation. I have been serving in the team for more than five years now.

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Sea Level Rise and Its Challenges to Sovereignty

I was asked to present my ideas on sea level rise and how it affects sovereignty and sovereign rights. The event was held in Jakarta on 20 August 2024, organized by the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marinves). Also presenting at the event were a Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), a researcher from BRIN, a director from the National Planning Agency, and a senior researcher from BMKG.

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Transforming Data into Stories

It was fun to share my views and experiences on how to convert data into stories with colleagues at the Local Government Office of Bantul Regency. During the online workshop, I shared how to build good and engaging stories in a governmental report using various kinds of data available.

This is an important skill for government employees since they have to generate moving stories out of data and information they have, instead of formal, dry and boring information in an old-fashioned report book. I shared a number of tips on how to use data to build easy-to-follow and or touching stories. The event was fun.

 

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Reimagining Indonesia-China Relationship

I visited China for ten days from 18 to 27 April 2024. The journey covered three cities, two hi-tech companies, a number of government institutions, six academic institutions, various museums, and surely a lot of delicious food. For me, it was the longest working visit to a single country in the last decade or so. I have witnessed a lot and I have learnt a lot.

The visit was made possible due to a program organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Jakarta. We, seven Indonesian scholars from different disciplines, took part in the program and each of us is left with deep impression. The journey has helped us understand China better by witnessing closely different events, places, traditions, and listening to different views from Chinese Scholars, government officials and ordinary people. Here is my short note.

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Australian Scholarship Sharing

On 24 March 2024, I shared my experience in studying in Australia with scholarship. I was asked to do so by the Indonesian Students Association of Australia (PPIA) and I was so excited. This year is important for me as a scholar. Twenty years ago, I started my study at UNSW, Sydney with the Australian Development Scholarship (ADS). Now the scholarship is known as the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS). It was like a blink of an eye, two decades have passed. Here I am. I have been back in Indonesia for ten years since the finish line of my PhD. I did my Master and PhD degree in Australia. Same state, different universities, same area of research. Those experiences have enriched my life, I am sure.

Feeling grateful about what  I have received  through scholarship, I started to write about my journey and experiences since 2004. Also 20 years ago. I started as an amateur blogger sharing my thoughts through a platform called Blogspot. I then migrated to WordPress, which I am still using until now. My habit of sharing through writing has apparently given me changes to share knowledge and practical tips on studies and general and Australian scholarship in particular. I consider my participation at the event organised by PPIA was one my ways to pay back.

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Leadership Training at the State Islamic University of Sunan Kalijaga

I was invited by a student organisation at the State Islamic University (UIN) of Sunan Kalijaga in Jogja. It was about leadership and was certainly not my first talk about the topic. I have spoken about leadership before at several events for student and other young people. However, at this UIN event I felt there needed to be a distinctive, more Islamic touch. As a Hindu Believer, I certainly have to study this matter seriously. In the car, while waiting for the event to start, I thought hard about making a plan.

I remember a figure, Umar bin Khattab, who is said to be a respected figure in Islamic history. I contacted a friend for discussion. In about 15 minutes, I should be able to add leadership material that is unique to Islam. This is also important for me to ensure because I have included Hindu leadership teachings, Asta Brata, in my material. Of course there is no problem, but it would be sweeter if at the event at UIN I also presented the teachings of Islamic leadership with the same level of seriousness.

I was the only speaker at an event at UIN. The most challenging thing was because it was right before breaking the fast (Iftar). I was filled with doubt that the 100 or so participants would not be able to concentrate or choose to rest their intellectual engines. Turns out I was wrong. Their eyes sparkled, their smiles looked fresh and their nodding heads radiated energy.

I really enjoyed the interaction. I did try by best, I believe.

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Expert Discussion with Bappenas on Mapping Health Facility Access

The Directorate of Public Health and Nutrition, Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) of the Republic of Indonesia invited me to share my views regarding their new project. They are mapping access to health service facilities between regions, especially in island areas (kepulauan). During the process, they need experts’ views  regarding the results of the mapping.

I was invited to give my views on the matter. The meeting was conducted online through zoom involving different parties. Assisted by Akram, a young alumni of our department, I delivered some notes and points to improve the mapping process. In general, they have done good job in improving access to health facilities using geospatial sciences and technology.