PRESTASI: A JOURNEY
Transcrição
PRESTASI: A JOURNEY
PRESTASI: A JOURNEY PRESTASI: A JOURNEY PRESTASI: A JOURNEY 2 CHIEF OF PARTY - PRESTASI IIEF: Mira Sambada PRESTASI REPORT MANAGER: Devi Miarni Umar EDITORS OF INDONESIAN VERSION: Devi Miarni Umar, Lensi Mursida, Bambang P Putranto, Hari Nugroho AUTHORS: Hari Nugroho, Lensi Mursida, Veby Mega Indah CONTENTS LANGUAGE EDITOR OF INDONESIA VERSION: Lensi Mursida REPORTER COORDINATOR: Introduction 5 A GLANCE AT PRESTASI 7 Yophiandi Kurniawan REPORTERS JAKARTA: Veby Mega Indah, Wenri Wanhar, PRESTASI Overview Achievers of PRESTASI 7 9 Okky Mulyadi JAYAPURA: Katharina Lita OUTREACH AND SELECTION Outreach 12 12 YOGYAKARTA AND SALATIGA: Hari Nugroho PHOTOGRAPHERS: Reaching Out Over the Country Optimization of Website and Social Media 12 16 Wahono Kolopaking, Ratri Pratiwi, Bodi Chandra, Hari Nugroho, Katharina Lita TRANSLATOR: Selection 18 Tight Selection Stages, but Fair 18 Diyan Srikandini EDITOR OF ENGLISH VERSION: Diyan Srikandini Applicant Reviews with Credibility and Integrity TRAINING AND MONITORING 22 39 PROOFREADER: Patrick M Compau COVER AND LAYOUT DESIGNER: Three Plus One: The Powerful Supplies English Language Training (English for Academic Purposes/EAP) 39 41 Iftachul Ngumar Statistics Training Leadership Training Evaluation: Induction is So Meaningful PRESTASI GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP Pre-Departure Orientation 44 44 48 49 IIEF – INDONESIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION, Menara Imperium 28th Floor, Suite A, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 1, Kuningan, Jakarta From the Departure to Taking Part ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, ACTING PLACE WHILE BACK ALPHA-I Already Rocking Step 50 55 55 Selatan 12980 – INDONESIA PHONE: +62 21 8370 9982 FAX: +62 21 83709983 WEBSITE: www.prestasi-iief.org BEHIND THE SCENES OF PRESTASI 112 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY IIEF – Indonesian International Education Foundation - USAID Contractor Menara Imperium 28th Floor, Suite A, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 1, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12980 – INDONESIA Phone: +62 21 8370 9982 Fax: +62 21 83709983 Website: www.prestasi-iief.org 4 INTRODUCTION T his report is about the journey of the PRESTASI scholarship leaders and economic observers and practitioners. We see the enthusiasm of program from April 2011 to September 2012. Experiences, the Indonesian national leaders who welcomed the scholarship program and stories, achievements and challenges faced by the provided some valuable feedback for us. Their opinions, impressions and PRESTASI team in providing services to recipients, alumni interest are in the section entitled “Applicant Reviews with Credibility and and other stakeholders are summarized in the report Integrity”. P RES T AS I: A Jour ne y . In addition, we also interviewed our partners, the actors and think tanks To get a comprehensive story from various perspectives we dropped a full backstage at Pre-Academic Training (PAT) PRESTASI: representatives of the team to conduct interviews with various parties, either directly or indirectly International Language Institute, University of Indonesia (LBI-UI) that provided involved in the PRESTASI scholarship program, which is fully supported by the PRESTASI scholars with English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Tutorials, USAID. More than 86 speakers were involved and interviewed by our team to two professors from the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) complete this report. Those interviewed included our team in PRESTASI IIEF - Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta that provided statistical and SPSS Indonesian International Education Foundation and our partners in the United training materials in a fun and exciting way as well as expert Human States from the Institute of International Education (IIE) who shared their Resources (HR) who are also psychologists, PT Daya Insani who gave stories of joy and sorrow in running the PRESTASI program, from the outreach substance for Leadership Training to scholars to remind them that their and selection stages up until welcoming the alumni back to Indonesia and their potential skills can be optimized, forming a positive mental attitude and strong excitement when forming an alumni association. morale and a spirit of healthy competition within the scholars. We also visited a number of Independent Reviewers and Regional The final step was to interview 11 people, five of whom represented the Interviewers who were directly involved in the selection process and noted Technical Office (TO) USAID. These people were selected based on an internal their experiences during the process - which is full of competition. They are review by the team of PRESTASI IIEF by weighing factors such as being national leaders who have expertise in their respective fields within a variety actively involved in the decision making process in the mid-to-upper level of of professions, such as lecturers and professors from several universities, NGO institutions/organizations, both at the provincial and national levels; providing 5 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY services to the community and being voluntarily committed to implementing lot of answers from these alumni stories, including the stories of their new ideas and services to the wider community; having achieved excellent struggles on and off campus during their study in the United States and some results from institutions/organizations at the provincial, national and interna- fragments of their stories about after they returned to take part in their tional levels; making changes in the institution/organization by providing ideas, respective fields upon their return to Indonesia. A series of these interesting knowledge and new skills; excelling in their career/professions such as by get- stories can be found in sub-section ‘ALPHA I Already Rocking Step’. We believe that one person can make a difference but a group of people ting a promotion and/or grades; being actively involved in representing the institution/ organization at provincial, national and international levels; gaining can make an impact. Hopefully PRESTASI: A Journey can provide a new skills and knowledge which has been recognized by the institution/organi- comprehensive review of this scholarship program. Jakarta, September 2012 zation (such as gaining extra responsibility within work) and being recognized by their peers and the community as a leader in their field. In order to obtain impartial information and avoid making any over claims, Mira Sambada we also interviewed their principals or supervisors in the institutions in which Chief of Party they work as well as some of their colleagues to assess the changes and the PRESTASI Graduate Scholarship impact they felt after PRESTASI Alumni returned to their homeland. We got a 6 A GLANCE AT PRESTASI and Training to Achieve aiming to improve the leadership is open to all Indonesian Sustainable Impacts, which roughly skills and performance of undergraduates who are eligible for means “Scholarship Program for Indonesian professionals, which will Masters and Doctoral degrees Study and Training to Obtain a benefit the development of while the requirement of Sustainable Impact”. Indonesia. PRESTASI will participants for short-term training strengthen and expand the skill programs is modified according to USAID in Indonesia, the U.S. base of professionals and their respective areas of training. government tends to use institutions in Indonesia, both in to the Indonesian Dictionary abbreviations that also have the public sector, Civil Society to a number of other programs, (KBBI), means: achievements. meanings in Indonesian. So by Organization (CSO), or private which are also conducted in When used as a verb with “high” to calling the program PRESTASI, sector. Through this program, Indonesia. In order to avoid “outstanding” the meaning is: which already has meaning and is hundreds of Indonesian people confusion it is necessary to brand having achievements in a case. very popular in the Indonesian have had the opportunity for the program therefore it is better language the program is more education, both short-term and for known as USAID PRESTASI. the name of the scholarship easily recognized and remembered Masters and Doctoral degrees, in program from the United States in the minds of Indonesian people. the United States, Indonesia and entrusted the implementation of other countries. the PRESTASI program to In some programs supported by PRESTASI OVERVIEW The word “prestasi”, according However, PRESTASI, which is Agency for International USAID launched PRESTASI The name PRESTASI is similar Since April 2011 USAID Development (USAID), is not a Scholarship program in April 2011 direct translation from Indonesian. as a continuation of the Human areas of Education, Health, Foundation (IIEF). IIEF is a local PRESTASI is an abbreviation of the and Institutional Capacity Environment, Economics Growth and organization from Indonesia Program to Extend Scholarships Development (HICD) program, Democratic Governance. PRESTASI working in partnership with the PRESTASI focuses on the subject 7 Indonesian International Education PRESTASI: A JOURNEY times, especially in relation to the Government of Indonesia, and they budget. “The main challenge in this must be eligible to undergo process was because the program education or advanced training. was in the transition period from The PRESTASI Representative the previous contractor where all Program Manager ensures that the scholars under the previous scholarship applicants are treated program management transferred equally through a fair selection to IIEF. To compile a budget for a process. The selection process program that has already been involves a series or stages that have running is a greater challenge than been agreed between IIEF as the designing a budget from the start,” program organizer and USAID as said Mira. the donor. This means that the According to Mira Sambada, determination of the candidates under PRESTASI the scholarship who are eligible to receive the program offers scholarships for scholarship will be made through a master’s degrees and is open for tiered selection of mechanisms gram titled FORECAST-HICD all Indonesian undergraduates. Of starting from document review (Human and Institutional Capacity course, there are minimum where IIEF team will check the Development). The project was requirements that must be administrative completeness of Institute of International Education transferred to IIEF after the possessed by the candidates, they applicant’s documents and (IIE), an international organization FORECAST program came to an must have a TOEFL®ITP score of eligibility of the documents as the based in New York and Washington end. USAID used his or her own at least 450 or English language requirement specify. This is DC, which is one of the most judgment when selecting an proficiency test results equivalent followed by criteria review, which experienced private, non-profit Indonesian contractor to work on to the TOEFL®ITP, TOEFL®iBT or is conducted by an independent educational organizations in the this program. “When USAID asked, IELTS, they must have a spirit of appraisal panel with high integrity world. we had to submit a proposal,” said leadership, good academic that is recruited from a variety of Mira Sambada, Chief of Party (COP) achievements in a field of study backgrounds and areas of PRESTASI. that is relevant to the development expertise. Next there is a regional objectives of USAID and the face-to-face interview to filter out Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data GRAFIK 1 Summary Description of PRESTASI Scholars (2007 - 2012) The scholarship program was initially handled by another implementer/contractor, under a pro- IIEF revised its proposal several 8 of certain institutions or sustainable program, in accordance organization created to develop with its meaning. the community. This is important since the purpose of this program ACHIEVERS OF PRESTASI is to make the recipients become Based on the results of leaders in this field,” said Mira. Due to the nature of the Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data 2013 there were 39 PRESTASI PRESTASI program the program Scholarship recipients. 30 out of management - starting from the 39 PRESTASI recipients will information dissemination to study master’s degrees in the capture the interest of applicants United States and nine will study in to scholars finishing their studies Indonesia. However, there are two and graduated - was conducted by people who withdrew because they USAID and IIEF in a special way. also received scholarships from IIEF perform a series of processes: other institutions. first, the dissemination of GRAFIK 2 recruitment in 2012 for the year From a total of 37 people from psychology from the University of information to capture the interest the selection process 54% of Indonesia. of applicants and to select participants were women. candidates; second, arranging Outcomes showed that IIEF children, explained that those who training for scholars before surpassed the targets required by the best candidates from the were selected were appropriate departing to the U.S., finding the USAID to recruit 50% women as region to compete at national figures. Of course, besides having appropriate universities, and recipients of the PRESTASI level. The final determination or academic requirements or good monitoring during their studies; scholarship program. In addition, final decision is made by a team English proficiency, it is also third, monitoring the progress of the geographical composition of from USAID. “This selection important is to have integrity, the PRESTASI alumni in the PRESTASI scholars was in line process is undertaken for especially those who have a institutions in which they work and with USAID expectations to give transparency and fairness. Thus, concern for the community. in the community. more attention to candidates from there is no room for collusion,” “Concern for the community can said Mira, who has a degree in be reflected through the activities Description of PRESTASI Long Term Training Scholars Based on Age (2007 - 2012) Mira, a mother of three So, arguably, PRESTASI Scholarship is an integrated and 9 Central and Eastern Indonesia. 64% of PRESTASI scholars come PRESTASI: A JOURNEY the166 people who studied in the positive implications for PRESTASI United States 77 of them have scholars, institutions, and the State earned a Master’s degree and are of Indonesia in general because it already alumni of PRESTASI. is assumed the alumni will have a The average age of the scholars longer time to contribute their best was also shifted significantly when to strengthen their home comparing the HICD program to institution in which they work and PRESTASI program. When HICD contribute positively to the country operated the program the age as well. range was more diverse but Composition of the number of PRESTASI scholars were recipients by region of origin dominated by the younger (geographical) has also changed generation. From the data compiled from year to year. During HICD by IIEF in the year 2007 - 2010 age program from 2007-2010, 36% of composition comprised 8% of scholars were from outside Java. scholars aged 41-50 years, 53% However, since 2011 this aged 31-40 years, and 39% in the composition has shifted and there recipients for 2013 adds to a long range of 21-30 years. While for 2011 has been a very sharp increase in list of PRESTASI scholarship zero percent of scholars were aged the number of scholars from recipients. In the period 2007 - 41-50 years, 4% aged 31-40 years outside Java from 36% - 57%, from outside Java, and 36% were 2012, including the program HICD and 96% were aged 21-30 years. In which means an increase of 28%. from Java. The employment (Human and Institutional Capacity 2012 there was no scholars aged In 2012, that figure increased again backgrounds of the 37 PRESTASI Development), there are already 41-50 years, 30% were aged 31-40 to 68%. The increase in the scholars were varied consisting of: 192 people who have been given years and 70% were aged 21-30 number of scholars who reside 33% civil servants, 31% teachers scholarships to study Masters or years. outside Java is in line with the focus and lecturers, 15% NGO, 8% Doctorates. 166 of these people private or public institutions, 8% went on to study in the United PRESTASI program has attracted USAID to give greater attention to research institutions and 5% States and 26 people took the attention of Indonesian young the target areas outside Java and journalists and media. graduate courses in Indonesia. Of professionals. This trend has it is in accordance with the core Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data GRAFIK 3 The number of scholarship PRESTASI Scholars Long TermTraining – Geographic Representatives (2007 – 2012) The data shows that the 10 of the five Technical Office (TO) of program held in April 2011 the PRESTASI Scholars Long Term Training – Gender Representatives trend of the number of women (2007 – 2012) who received scholarships showed an increase from the continues to fluctuate from year to year but there are Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data GRAFIK 4 objectives PRESTASI which want to give more attention to areas that are under-represented. The gender of scholars 11 required target of USAID. From a the results of the HICD number of female recruits - well recruitment program in early above the target of gender 2011 the number of female equality required by USAID of scholars was 74% that derived 50:50 compositions, i.e., the from two dropouts in USAID, period of recruitment in Health and Environment. While January - March 2011. Within in 2012 the number of female four years of the program HICD scholars reached 54% from in year 2007-2010, total female recruitment to five DO. scholars were 44% of the However, this latter figure is number of selected participants still above 50% percent of the throughout the program. mandate given by USAID to IIEF However, since the PRESTASI through PRESTASI. PRESTASI: A JOURNEY OUTREACH AND SELECTION OUTREACH REACHING OUT OVER THE COUNTRY To get the best young Indonesians to be awarded postgraduate scholarships, PRESTASI IIEF team uses the technique of “jemput bola” or pick up the balls. IIEF do not simply rely on websites, direct mail, social networking, and advertising in the mass media to recruit candidates for the scholarship recipients, but the team from PRESTASI IIEF went straight out to potential cities in various parts of Indonesia to “pick” FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI them. PRESTASI’s Booth in U.S Higher Education Fair 12 Jakarta and other big cities. In addition, the PRESTASI team needs to go to certain cities in the central and eastern part of Indonesia because USAID pays special attention to these regions. Through the PRESTASI program, says Mira, USAID wants to encourage the growth of quality FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI professionals in Central and Eastern Indonesia regions to keep pace with their counterparts in the western part of Java in particular. To disseminate information and Indonesia is so vast and there is an recruit the best undergraduate inequality of access to information. applicants in 2013 the PRESTASI People who live in big cities such as team visited 12 cities from Sumatra Jakarta and Surabaya certainly to Papua. In each city the PRESTASI are being managed by IIEF and have much easier access to team visited targeted places such as mapping with records and by trustees of the Civil Society information than, for example, universities, offices, NGOs, and local conducting preliminary research to Organization (CSO) or community people living in Banjarmasin, South government. observe any city to be visited. The organizations in the target areas Kalimantan or in Kupang (West IIEF team must move quickly to defined by five Technical Office (TO) Timor). Due to these conditions the began in early September 2011 with perform comprehensive mapping USAID has prepared budgets for: TO PRESTASI team presents in Medan as the first location. Overall and to make contact with the Education, Democratic Governance, targeted cities so that the potential the PRESTASI team visited 54 contact person in the area, either Economic Growth, Health and field of candidates in all regions places and events, which totaled through the local government (LG), Environment. have the same opportunities to more than 1,000 visitors. Arguably, obtain information, along with their presentations in certain areas were colleagues just as well as those in more of a success and the visitors On-site presentation in Ministry of National Education Office - South Sulawesi This strategy is preceded by alumni HICD program and other scholarship programs that have and On-site presentation in Papua State University (UNIPA) Manokwari. Visiting target cities is very important because the area of 13 Presentations in these areas PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data PRESTASI Team in the city. Participants Attended On-Site Presentation Based on Type of Employment Complimentary coverage was also made by Kartika Magazine (September 2011 issue) and even the were very keen to know more about English language edition newspaper the PRESTASI program. the Jakarta Globe gave free The PRESTASI team gained many unexpected and impressive results during the “pick up the ball” advertising space for PRESTASI on September 16, 2011. Another way IIEF spread the strategy in those areas. One was the information regarding PRESTASI enthusiasm shown by the mass was to participate in Education media in Makassar, the Tribune East. exhibitions. In the U.S. Higher This paper preached about the Education Fair held on October 5, NO. VENUE ACTIVITY ADDRESS CITY DATE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Presentation Courtesy Call Presentation Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Presentation Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Presentation Courtesy Call Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Courtesy Call Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Jln. Prof.T.M. Hanafiah, SH Kampus USU Jl. Universitas No 4, Kampus USU Jl Gatot Subroto Km 4,5 Simpang Selayang Kec. Medan Tuntungan Jalan Dr. Mansyur Jl. Bukit Botu Gorontalo Jl. Makassar No. 40 Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 6 Tamalarea Jl Sultan Alauddin Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Tamalanrea Gd. Graha Pena Makassar Hotel Kristal Kupang Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang Jl. Adisucipto, Penfui Penfui Jalan Adisucipto Penfui JL. Flamboyan No. 2 JL. Flamboyan No. 2 Jl. Tgh. Faisal No. 33 Jl. Majapahit No. 62 Jl. Gunung Salju Jalan Karya ABRI No 2 Jalan Lembah Hijau Diklat Jl. Pertanian Jl. Gunung Salju Jl. Gunung Salju Amban Jl. S. Condronegoro Jl. Purnama Jl. Ahmad Yani Jl. Ahmad Yani Jl. Husada Jl. Ahmad Yani Jl. Ahmad Yani Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman Bulaksumur Jl. Kenari Jln. Tentara Pelajar No. 1A Pingit Kidul Bulaksumur Jl. Lingkar Barat, Tamantirto, Kasihan Darussalam Tgk. Nyak Makam Darussalam Jl. Tgk. Abu Lam U Uteun Kot - Cunda Uteun Kot - Cunda Jl. Ir. Sutami Jl. Pandawa Pucangan Kartasura Jl. Stadion IPB, Dramaga Bogor @america, Pacific Place Hotel Kartika Chandra BPOM Jl. Percetakan Negara Medan Medan Medan Medan Medan Gorontalo Gorontalo Gorontalo Makassar Makassar Makassar Makassar Kupang Kupang Kupang Kupang Kupang Mataram Mataram Mataram Mataram Manokwari Manokwari Manokwari Manokwari Manokwari Manokwari Manokwari Pontianak Pontianak Pontianak Pontianak Pontianak Pontianak Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Yogyakarta Banda Aceh Banda Aceh Banda Aceh Banda Aceh Lhokseumawe Lhokseumawe Surakarta Surakarta Salatiga Bogor Jakarta Jakarta Jakarta 07-Sep-11 08-Sep-11 08-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 13-Sep-11 13-Sep-11 14-Sep-11 15-Sep-11 15-Sep-11 16-Sep-11 16-Sep-11 19-Sep-11 20-Sep-11 20-Sep-11 20-Sep-11 21-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 23-Sep-11 26-Sep-11 26-Sep-11 26-Sep-11 26-Sep-11 26-Sep-11 27-Sep-11 27-Sep-11 10-Oct-11 11-Oct-11 11-Oct-11 11-Oct-11 12-Oct-11 12-Oct-11 17-Oct-11 17-Oct-11 18-Oct-11 18-Oct-11 18-Oct-11 19-Oct-11 19-Oct-11 20-Oct-11 20-Oct-11 21-Oct-11 21-Oct-11 22-Oct-11 22-Oct-11 25-Oct-11 25-Oct-11 26-Oct-11 9-Oct-11 12-Oct-11 5-Oct-11 29-Oct-11 Fakultas Ekonomi USU Gd. Pengadilan Semu FH USU Univ. Pembangunan Panca Budi Yayasan PKPA YPPIA BAPPEDA Gorontalo Kantor Program Teluk Tomini / SUSCLAM Pusat Bahasa Univ. Negeri Gorontalo Univ. Hasanuddin UIN Alauddin Dinas Pendidikan Prov. Sulawesi Selatan Kantor Koran Fajar Makassar Kerjasama Internasional UNDANA Kantor Ketua Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang Yayasan Bunda Purnama Kasih Univ. Nusa Cendana BAPPEDA Provinsi NTB Ruang Pela Perado BAPPEDA Provinsi NTB Kantor Koran Lombok Pos Univ. Mataram Kantor Pembantu Rektor IV UNIPA Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Hukum Manokwari Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Mah Eisa Kantor Koran Cahaya Papua Kantor Koran Media Papua UPT Pelayanan Bahasa UNIPA STKIP Muhammadiyah Kantor Tribun Institute BAPPEDA Provinsi Kalbar BAPPEDA Provinsi Kalbar WWF Pontianak Rektorat Univ. Tanjung Pura Univ. Tanjung Pura FISIP Univ. Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Purek III Univ. Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Biro Kerjasama Internasional UGM Balaikota Yogyakarta Lembaga Ombudsman Daerah Fakultas Pertanian UGM American Corner Univ. Muhammadiyah Rektorat Univ. Syiah Kuala Hotel Hemes Palace FKIP Univ. Syiah Kuala Aula Kantor Walikota Banda Aceh Rektorat Univ. Malikussaleh Gedung ACC Univ. Malikussaleh Univ. Sebelas Maret STAIN Surakarta STAIN Salatiga International Scholarship and Education Expo USAID: 50th Anniversary U.S. Higher Education Auditorium Balai Pengawasan Obat & Makanan On-Site Presentation Based on Location and Venue 14 Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data ed by 1,300 visitors. In October 2011 PRESTASI also participated in the IPB Education Expo. In addition IIEF also participated in a number of exhibitions at the invitation of USAID Indonesia. The latest exhibition, which IIEF participated T he Division of Outreach and Selection is responsible for visiting the target areas. The Division is fronted by Wahono Kolopaking and Ratri Pratiwi, who had to use a variety of tactics to build in, was the EdUSA Spring Fair held public awareness about the in Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya. PRESTASI scholarship program The result of the disclosure of and to gain public interest in the such information was an program. One of the strategies is overwhelming response. The to go to potential remote areas. PRESTASI team got 1.305 FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI 2011 the PRESTASI booth was visit- A lot of unique things applications from various parts of happened to Wahono Kolopaking, Indonesia, which reflects the enthu- PRESTASI Outreach and siasm of Indonesian young people to Selection Specialist, who is achieve advanced education. “It fondly called Nano - when really illustrates that Indonesia socializing in these areas. One of needs scholarships in large quanti- the memories that left a lasting ties. The lesson for us in IIEF was impression on Nano was when he that prospective applicants visited Aceh with Hanif Saleh, attempted to go directly to the face- Contracting Officer’s the two cities. Nano thought that to-face presentations to make it Representative (COR) USAID. In they could go to Lhokseumawe easier for them to dig up as much the Tanah Rencong they had an having completed the PRESTASI travel a very winding road up and information as possible to get a agenda to socialize in Banda socialization agenda and return down hills and several roads scholarship out of the country,” said Aceh and Lhokseumawe. to Banda Aceh to catch an between cities being in bad afternoon flight that will take condition, plus drizzle during the Mira Sambada. SOCIALIZATION COMBINED WITH COWS: EXPERIENCE IN ACEH They were so excited to visit 15 them both back to Jakarta. However, due to having to PRESTASI: A JOURNEY trip their rented car could not go –Nano and Hanif – sat silently and denly appeared and inevitably the like this on the next journey ... It’s very fast. “If we were at a normal were busy praying in their heart. car hit the poor cow. All of the better to miss the aircraft rather passengers were shocked and for than to lose our lives.” Hanif’s a moment could not speak. words could only be rewarded speed it might be that. Hanif and I “We do not have time to eat - would miss the plane,” Nano said. just stop for a moment to pray Because of that, he whispered to and then we go directly off again,” the driver to drive as fast as pos- said Nano as he tells how they airport in Banda Aceh, on time, Nano. In fact, Nano was as sible so they can get back to hunt the time. Unfortunately the and they could catch a plane back worried as Hanif but at least one Jakarta that night. As a result, for driver hit the gas very hard and to Jakarta that night. Hanif, who more task from the Outreach about five hours the car drove like on the last corner before entering looked a little pale, told Nano, team list was completed. Well crazy while both passengers the city of Banda Aceh a cow sud- “Mas Wahono ... please do not be done! In the era of the Internet and the To be more interactive PRESTASI also designed a Facebook Fan Page and Twitter in order to rise of social media in Indonesia provide updated information. With today the dissemination of Indonesia’s position as one of the information about the program biggest users of social media in the through cyberspace is important for world dissemination of information the PRESTASI Outreach team to through a virtual media proved to support face-to-face visits in the be very effective, cheap and fast. various regions. The PRESTASI The existence of these two accounts team designed a website and also contributes significantly to the uploaded allimportant documents in spread of information of PRESTASI to the website address at program. www.prestasi-iief.org. Every FOTO OLEH: IIEF-PRESTASI OPTIMIZATION OF WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA Finally the car arrived at the Based on data compiled by IIEF, prospective applicant can access in the peak period of the the application form on the outreach’s implementation, as per PRESTASI website. October 25, 2011 it was recorded PRESTASI’s Facebook 16 with a smile and an apology from that there were 1.469 active followers on the PRESTASI twitter 2011. Until the end of September friends as many as 3.167 people participants on the PRESTASI account with 300 updates since the 2012, PRESTASI Twitter followers clicked “like-button” for the Facebook account and 685 account was launched on June 28, have netted 1.610 and 1.209 Twitter PRESTASI Facebook Fan Page. FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI PRESTASI FINALLY DROP IN SIAU TAGULANDANG BIARO O ne interesting story concerned with how 2009 he decided to join the Local Government required documents and sent them to IIEF in of Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Island, a Jakarta. It turned out that the application new district that split from Sangihe Island in managed to attract the attention of the 2007, which is a seven-hour ride boat from selection team and he was invited to attend an Manado. interview session in the Makassar region. David Serving on a small island, surrounded by the PRESTASI information live in cyberspace Molucca Sea on the east and the Celebes Sea could reach potential candidates in on the west, with telecommunication signals up took a ship to Siau Island followed by a small plane to Manado and finally Makassar. And luck is haven for people who work hard! remote areas of the archipelago was narrated and down did not dampen David’s spirits and he After passing a series of rigorous selection by David Kuntel, a PRESTASI scholar who was still managed to hunt for information about criteria David managed to rise above thousands chosen from the field of Environment from the scholarships. David relied on the Internet to of other candidates and he became one of the 2012 recruitment. find information about various scholarship pro- PRESTASI scholars. “Through PRESTASI I hope grams, which would enable him to continue his my dream will come true which is to study at on December 23 1984. After completing his study to a master’s degree. One day in October the School of Marine Affairs at the University bachelor degree at Sam Ratulangi University 2011 when browsing on his mobile phone David of Washington,” says David who is now Faculty of Fisheries (UNSRAT), Manado David found information about PRESTASI, “this is the following the Pre-Academic Training (PAT) in went to work as administrative staff and first info I got from the phone,” said David. Jakarta along with 30 of other scholars who David was born in Manado, North Sulawesi assistant for professor at UNSRAT but early in David immediately prepared all of the 17 were recruited in 2012. TRAINING AND MONITORING THREE PLUS ONE: THE POWERFUL SUPPLIES Having selected the best of Indonesia’s children for the PRESTASI Scholarships it’s time for the participants elected to get prepared before leaving for advanced studying in the United States. There are three main types of materials: English language training materials, leadership materials, and statistics materials. Candidates also have a debriefing and a Pre-Departure Orientation, which is very important because FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI most PRESTASI scholarship program awardees have never travelled abroad. Why is three Scholars attended English Language Training seriously plus one given? Here’s the explanation. 39 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING (ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES / EAP) English Language Training is distinguishes the PRESTASI people with limited access,” added since the target to be achieved program scholarship. However, it Wiwin. through the EAP is very specific in does remain that there is a That is why English debriefing is helping scholars improve their minimum requirement of English definitely needed. “Many English competency for academic very important to improve the language skills; Candidates must participants are not good at English purposes, IIEF with LBI-UI design a scholarship awardees’ English have a TOEFL®ITP score of 450 or so we prepared a particular design specific program (tailor made) so language skills so that the scholars equivalent. “That’s the excellence of English briefing. The program is that the target can be achieved have no significant barriers in of the PRESTASI program. Those in line with the participants’ level of within a maximum period of six studying and communicating in the whose English is not good enough English skills,” she said in IIEF months. United States. Having the ability to can still submit their application,” office in Kuningan, Jakarta. communicate in English will said Wiwin Erikawati, Training and certainly make the awardees adapt Monitoring Division Manager of were enrolled in English for competition in the group so the more easily to their new PRESTASI, who handles the division Academic Purposes (EAP) for achievement process can also be environment and it will make it with Hafida Meutia, excitedly. either a month, four months or six accelerated. Wiwin said, “The months at the International purpose of bringing them all to eastern part of Indonesia have good Language Institute University of Jakarta is to form a system of academic potential but their Indonesia (LBI-UI) in Salemba, positive competition. It is more training needed? It is related to the English is not so good. It may be Central Jakarta. The duration of costly. We cover not only the cost of mission of the PRESTASI program caused by the lack of access to the training is in accordance with the course, we also provide for their to provide more opportunities for English training. There are not as the placement test result living costs while in Jakarta.” those who have limited access to many English courses in Papua conducted by a team of LBI-UI. achieve higher education. English there are in Jakarta also they are The candidates all come from be achieved very effectively. For language skills are not the main very expensive. In fact some their respective regions to example, participants with the criteria for PRESTASI scholarship applicants from Papua are excellent Jakarta for the training. They lowest grades at the previous test awardees but academic academically and intellectually could be sent to English courses in were motivated for the course since competence, nationalism, as well as smart. “It’s unfair that just because their own region too, for example they have to compete against the his/her enthusiasm to move forward of their poor English they lose the participants from Makassar could group. “The arousal of competition and fight for other people are opportunity to get the scholarship. be enrolled in English Courses in was very interesting. We gather considered priority. This is what So, this program accommodates Makassar and monitored. However, people with the same mission so easier for them to absorb the knowledge that they learn. Why is the English language The PRESTASI participants Wiwin said that the students in 40 In addition, if the group learns together there is healthy It turned out that the goal could SISILIA SETIAWATI HALIMI, PHD Lecturer Senior Lecturer Department of English Language Studies Program and Post Graduate Linguistics, FIB UI They Are Taking Learning Very Seriously Humanities (FIB) UI. The training process of the PRESTASI participants is held in FIB UI Salemba, Central Jakarta. The teachers are the lecturers of FIB UI who are FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI certainly capable in their fields. “Intensive learning every day,” said Sisilia Halimi, who served as Director of LBI UI during the program. The alumnus of La Trobe University, Melbourne Victory Australia, played an important role English Language Training conducted intensively everyday and became the partner of IIEF in designing specific programs and developed a module to learn English for the participants of the PRESTASI IIEF took International Language Institute University of Indonesia program. (LBI-UI) to provide training to USAID PRESTASI awardees LBI-UI does not want any participants who failed for lack of English before heading to the United States to gain knowledge. LBI-UI is a language language skills to go to college in America because it can damage their institution that concentrates on training seven world languages, namely reputation. “Our commitment is to have as many participants as possible to be English, Mandarin, Japanese, French, German, Dutch and Arabic. This able to achieve the needed requirements to be accepted at a university,” said institution was founded and fostered by the alumni of the Faculty of Sisilia who specializes in Applied Linguistics for English Language Teaching. they may compete positively to get a high score. High scores certainly Three Classes Before the training begins, LBI UI have a good impact and they could map the English participants’ find schools more easily,” said competency through preliminary Wiwin about the plus point of the designing the training program, for because of the various levels of their the English language skills of each language skills. Dividing the participant are different. participants according to their Sisilia explained that although competency is much more effective. tests. From this they know where to there are only a few participants it is “We usually divide them into tailor made programs of EAP IIEF- place each participant and it impossible to put them in one group three classes. The first class has 120 LBI UI. provides a reference for making and from the beginning of the training hours of learning and this is for 41 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY those who already have TOEFL®ITP for academic purposes. At this them.” Meanwhile, the two other which is applied to all levels tends to 500’s. The second class is for 450 level the participants are allowed classes are more focused on be the same, namely communication hours and is for the average to take the TOEFL®iBT that will be speaking and writing. “Of course language. Sisilia said it is to ensure competency. The third class is for submitted as a condition of the material is different, although that participants do not only learn 630 hours for those with a low grade enrollment into the target college. the class will eventually be in the about the language but it is also to of TOEFL®ITP, “she said. As their language skills are no same level.” ensure that they can use the According to her the first class’s training focuses on English longer to be worried about Sisilia Although divided into several said, “There is special material for P language to communicate. classes the teaching mechanism LBI-UI has experience of DR. IR. HERU PRASADJA, M.SC RESTASI Scholarship Awardees also get Experts and Lecturers SPSS Statistics Unika Atma Jaya, Jakarta academic aptitude packages, one of which is SPSS. The statistical package is taught with computer software, which makes it fun for the participants and easy to understand without A Foothold in Working on Numbers awardees being traumatized by numbers. Before flying to the United States the PRESTASI Social Sciences). The mentors are Dr. Ir. Heru motivation to get to know statistics. During the Scholarship recipients first get a foothold. Besides Prasadja, M.Sc and Drs. Herry Pramono, M.Sc. participants debriefing Heru analogized that As a lecturer of statistics at the university statistical learning is like a boy learning to ride a material forms of English, Statistics, and since 1985, Heru Prasadja has understood that his bike. At the beginning the child often falls and is Leadership. The three main materials were courses were considered frightening for some even scolded by his parents. However, with all his provided through training; each handled by a students. So when he was in front of the trainees effort the boy can finally ride a bike. “Just like different team of trainers and teachers. from PRESTASI, who have a variety of science learning statistics. I motivate them by telling backgrounds. Heru was prepared with the them that you learn this now for you will need it in the Institute for Research and Community understanding that he had a strategy and that the and use it later. It is not just about simply passing Service (LPPM) Atma Jaya Catholic University Awardees were not afraid of learning statistics. a statistics course,” said Heru, who holds a money, the most important foothold is non- For statistical training participants are trained Jakarta, for three days from morning to evening. They learn SPSS (Statistical Package for the Heru did not directly teach the science of statistics but he built on the participants’ 42 doctorate in sociology from the University of Indonesia. providing language training for first year for PRESTASI working is very positive with high apply their knowledge. “They’re the various groups ranging from with LBI-UI. “My impression for motivation,” said Sisilia. ones who are well-qualified. If they government departments, non- those who departed in 2012 was governmental organizations (NGOs), very positive. They seemed very participants Sisilia assumed the our country it will be a better scholarship recipients who will go serious. I believe this selection was participants were well qualified. She country,” said the senior lecturer in out of the country and so on. For unbelievably good. They learned hopes the participants are able to the Department of English Language the group of scholarship recipients seriously. Their potential can be complete their studies well then Studies Program and Post Graduate who departed in 2012 this was the maximized. Their learning attitude return to Indonesia to develop and Linguistics, FIB UI. Seeing the seriousness of the can contribute their knowledge to Besides the motivating touches, Heru and formulas clearly before processing the data, Heru questions. Starting from questions that required Herry used the method of “friendship”. The brief- and his colleagues hope to hone the participants’ discussion with the questioner to the questions ing was for participants who didn’t understand logic. Formulas are not considered terrible anymore that required the basic principles of statistics to statistics so they approached them by a chat, but they are recognized as an instrument that be re-explained. “I was comforted by their which was not directly related to statistics. This makes research easier. They ensure accurate data enthusiasm. Perhaps those who haven’t learned created a good atmosphere in transferring the processing. Heru wants students to understand that statistics before got a new piece of knowledge, science. statistics can be understood with the right logic and while the ones have the knowledge could refresh not just by memorizing formulas and counting. their memory,” said Heru. “Since the first day I invited them to talk and tried to encourage them. I do not want to push “Then we discus the method, how to use and how them, I am afraid they will be traumatized by to process it, so the formulas are proven to ease 2012 Heru suggested the next briefing is better numbers,” he added. the process of our research,” he added. divided into two classes based on the participants’ Heru and Herry composed the easy to Did it work? “At least the participants did not Based on the experience of debriefing in July competency. The scholarship candidates who understand method of teaching from a variety of complain and they enjoyed learning the formulas,” seem to take majors that rely on qualitative knowledge backgrounds. First they emphasize he said, laughing. logical thinking such as anthropology should be understanding the meaning of symbols and At the end of the debriefing Heru was just better able to understand training method formulas that look complicated then they step up amazed. All participants were enthusiastic about according to the field. “For some whose majors to numerical problems. the training from morning to evening. Heru and are in qualitative studies they are not required to Herry were bombarded with a variety of study statistics. Pity them,” he added. By explaining the meaning of the symbols and 43 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY STATISTICS TRAINING The second provision the participants get is statistics training. The participants are trained in the Institute for FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI Research and Community Service (LPPM) Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta, for three days from morning to evening. They learn SPSS or Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The mentor Christian, Rina and Since actively involved in in-door activity in Pramono who both wrestle with Leadership Training statistics day-to-day. IIEF has a special reason why the very specific provision needs FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI is Heru Prasadja and Herry help organizations and individuals to identify, uncover, develop and to be given to PRESTASI scholarship awardees. “Statistics is important to assist them in optimize the potential of the Hand stamps and Expectations of scholars LEADERSHIP TRAINING The next provision is leadership individual in the workplace and in social daily life. researching and in data training. Unlike the EAP, which took leadership training including the For one night and two days the processing,” Wiwin explained. six months, the training was held training of human resources who PRESTASI participants, who are all for one night and two days in will continue their studies to a from different backgrounds and teach a logical way of thinking. It’s D’Agape Residence, in Ciawi, Bogor, higher level both domestically and regions - Jakarta, Jambi, Papua, clearly fundamental since they will West Java, in early December 2011. abroad. The company which is Central Java, East Java, and others managed by a couple of - do various activities as a group Most importantly statistics have to be able to produce For this leadership training IIEF scientific papers and the real work worked in cooperation with PT psychologists, alumnus of the that can reveal the character and is built on correct and appropriate Daya Insani (www.dayainsani.com), University of Indonesia (UI), Sri the potential of each person. reasoning. a training provider that has the Hastari Biran and Zainul Biran is expertise and experience in engaged in the field of services to 44 “During the leadership training their personalities come out. For FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI Cooperation of a team in an out-door activity him/her to succeed. So, his/her real character has come out,” said Wiwin laughing, “I’m excited to see it.” As well as being able to reveal the character and potential of each participant leadership training also gives a variety of dynamic group games that create the feeling of binding togetherness. “The training succeeded in making them feel the same. The training provider made FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI them feel equal so after the leadership training no one looks down on other people or otherwise assumes others are higher. Togetherness was successfully Out-door activity to foster cooperation in team example, A who seems calm turns out games in the course, which shows created during the leadership to be very ambitious. There are that A justified the means for training,” said Wiwin. 45 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY DRA. SRI HASTARI Z. BIRAN - Direktur PT Daya Insani Revealing the Real Character, Forging Unity F or the leadership training for the PRESTASI and there were participants various activities or participants IIEF works in cooperation with PT that accepted the rules. simulations. One is through Daya Insani, which has much experience in this field. When the session the sharing of the work environment or the “At the beginning of training we invite participants some participants who were bureaucracy of each and to sing Indonesia Raya in order that they have a sense not already in the place. The of responsibility for the country,” said Director of PT session was postponed until Daya Insani, Sri Hastari Z Biran as she talks about the all participants were training process that lasts for two days and one night. present. This method also It is not without reason that the opening of FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI started on time there were their role in that environment. This type of sharing can help to reflect Reflection session caused debate among the role they should contribute to create a better environment. training starts with the national anthem. In many participants. From the spontaneous reactions from the cases people go abroad to study but then they do not participants the coaches of Daya Insani gain input on raised and built through games that seemed trivial. return home. Some return home but bring their life the character or nature of each participant. Then the Through outbound activities such as a number of from abroad home too so they lose Indonesia. trainer asked participants to take time to self-reflect outdoor games participants are invited to reflect on Therefore this training, she said, meant that the on their attitudes. the meaning of that game. Indonesian people should have a commitment to An understanding of the personal character of Leadership and a sense of togetherness were The core lesson of the game is that if you Indonesia. The process towards the realization is done each is also obtained by using some short tests. “I’m succeeded in solving the problem alone you can be with the various training activities that seem “trivial”. oh so, so ... my friend,” the UI Psychology alumnus successful but you sacrifice your friends. You For instance, there is a rule requiring all participants described the reaction of the participants after taking succeeded but others did not. So inevitably you have turn off their cellular phone during activity sessions the test, and an explanation of the meaning of the to succeed together. The Awardees must decide how and there is the rule that participants should be on test. to succeed together. That’s what makes the games time. The rule raises pros and cons among the participants. There were participants who protested Awareness of self-character and leadership abilities and togetherness were also built through 46 contrary to their ego. Some think that if they are successful together with others then their success is completely. But others say, maybe I’m not as good as you, but I also want to feel successful, help me please. “That’s it. So this game builds awareness of the importance of togetherness. The beauty of unity. Each FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI only 50 percent. In fact they want to success studied abroad, but after returning home made no contribution. What’s their contribution to this country? Why aren’t they visible? Where are they hiding? Two days training is not enough. Sri herself said two days is a very short time to establish the A qualified psychologist has its advantages and each has its drawbacks. If they characters. “But at least we can help them to be able can complete one another they will be stronger,” said social problems, cultural problems and so many other to study there,” said Sri, who had served as a HR the experienced practitioner in Human Resource problems that must be solved. “Hopefully they will be manager in a clinical laboratory that has more than 50 Management (HRM). involved in the process. They can make something branches spread across various places in Indonesia. At night there was a ‘watch together’ session. The useful. So we remind them that we are the people of It is expected that after the training the committee played a documentary film about Indonesian Indonesia. That’s the goal. We are Indonesian. Do your participants will keep in touch with each other. While in nature without text or narration. The committee did not best for this nation.” America they are usually on their own as they are mention what the title of the movie was or where it Then there was a discussion that the trainer spread over various campuses and cities. If they keep was set. The documentary showed the scenery at Lake opened with a touching story from his heart. “You are in touch, they will never feel alone. They can talk to Toba, natural beauty at Kelok. Ampek Puluah Ampek, to be schooled abroad but do not bring back here all each other and if there is a problem there will be a the romantic Ngarai Sianok, the famous underwater the forces from there. We are here and we do not want friend who is willing to help. Bunaken, the fascinating stretch of Raja Ampat to lose our Indonesia.” archipelago and even more beautiful places. But, no Before leaving Ciawi participants wrote their plan on At the opening the participants were reluctantly a piece of paper. As a leader what they will do? What kidding, no participant knew the places. Halloooo ... it’s singing Indonesia Raya but not this time. All were will you do after studying in the United States? The Indonesia! “Oh, Indonesia!? There are so beautiful singing heartily, full appreciation and full of love. The paper is collected and stored by IIEF. When they come places, aren’t there?” Some participants exclaimed participants could not control their emotions and were home they are reminded of their initial intentions. Do surprised. Of the many participants there was only one hugging one another tearfully. The trainer of Daya they still remember their intention? Change is fine, as person who called a location correctly. She also Insani couldn’t help crying they were all in tears. They long as it is for his own good, other people and their hesitated. were all emotional and in love with Indonesia. environment. “Hopefully, when they get back here it is According to Sri, Daya Insani they play this movie In this emotional situation, Cultural Observer M. to refresh and to remind them that now they’re home to remind them of Indonesia and to remind them that Sobari, one of the guest speakers in the training they should recall the first intentions that they made they have a responsibility to this country. There are expressed his annoyance at the people who had before leaving the country,” said Sri. 47 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY EVALUATION: INDUCTION IS SO MEANINGFUL An important induction is given to not satisfactory at all, from evaluation of the induction quality and relevant. The facilities useful to useless. participants, Devi concluded the were also considered to be following: appropriate and in accordance Open questions are related to a to the PRESTASI scholarship number of issues regarding the Training or induction provides an with the activities session. recipients. But how does the implementation of the debriefing opportunity for the PRESTASI The classroom environment is induction benefit them? and especially suggestions. scholarship awardees to improve very supportive of the Participants are free to deliver their their knowledge and skills in the participants learning especially opinions and comments here. fields of academics, leadership for English training sessions and and writing. leadership. One participant Opinions, attitudes and suggestions from the participants are very important for IIEF. IIEF can “Ideally to evaluate or assess an find out if the services that they activity we should have a baseline. In terms of training time and the wrote, “The class was able to provide are in accordance with the Unfortunately PRESTASI does not number of participants they help me to be actively involved in needs of the participants before have baseline information from consider their ratios to be every session of activities.” they jump on the new campuses previous programs that could be adequate, although some found The facilitators at the both in the U.S. and in Indonesia. used as a reference against which to that the statistical training time International Language Institute For that purpose a team from review the impact of an intervention was too short. “Statistical - University of Indonesia (LBI-UI), IIEF led by Devi Miarni Umar, a at the end of the activity. Therefore, learning materials aim to teach University of Atma Jaya and PT Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to work around this the team and I too much for just three days,” – Daya Insani were thought to be from PRESTASI have designed 20 at IIEF designed tools to measure this was the feedback taken from experts in their field, well questions with closed and open the impact with the use of one of the course participants. prepared, well organized, systems to all debriefing quantitative and qualitative When appraising the series of responsive to participants, and participants to evaluate the methods to approach retrospective training arrangements in place with capabilities to create an meaning, function and impact of and current situations,” said Devi the awardees think it’s already atmosphere of learning and have these supplies. The closed questions about the tools used to evaluate the good, particularly in terms of the appropriate ways of teaching. were regarding the material being scholars. This approach allowed IIEF materials and schedules. They The training participants taught, mentors, training facilities team to dig up information before think it’s managed very well. proposed additional time for and so on including the level of their and after the intervention by IIEF The materials used were statistics training and leadership acceptance. The questions are through a series of activities considered important to support as well as more time for multiple-choice ranging from very prepared for the scholars. the training, while the handouts preparation for TOEFL®iBT than used were considered to be good TOEFL®ITP. good to bad, from very satisfactory From the results of the 48 Here is a summary of the views of some student candidates after confidence,” wrote a third participant. attending English Language, These comments come from the PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION Besides getting English, written evaluations submitted by statistical science, and leadership induction participants. Some training PRESTASI scholarship entries submitted by the scholars recipients still need to get another will certainly be used by IIEF in induction before they enter college designing future programs. Here in the United States. The induction are some excerpts of their is in the form of self-readiness - comments: anything needed to support their “Induction really helped me in studies running smoothly. The preparing to continue my study in induction was obtained through the United States,” wrote one activities during the three days participant. named Pre-Departure Orientation “English Training really helped me in improving my English skills. FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI Statistics and Leadership Training. Theophanny Rampisela shared (PDO). experiences and stories while in U.S. During this event the PRESTASI period in the USA. This activity is an invaluable session, which also involves sharing the experience of While statistical training would be scholars, from various regions in management of their time, etc. With the alumni as well as realizing the better held after the English course Indonesia, gathered in Jakarta. In such a comprehensive induction the need for self-management skills in was completed in order to make this PDO activity the participants participants are expected to be the USA,” explained Mira Sambada. our brains fresh” said a recipient of are given various information about ready to leave with no issues left PRESTASI scholarship. the role of IIEF and IIE; latest uncovered. “The time for statistical training developments regarding the “This orientation is intended to The three-day event was varied and dynamic. The participants were sometimes fed up but they mostly is too short, so we do not have PRESTASI program; the terms and explain in detail about the role of listened seriously to the facilitators enough time to understand the conditions of the contract of the stakeholders that are useful for for they felt that all the material material,” said another participant. PRESTASI recipients with USAID; a the PRESTASI recipients to presented were useful for their list of needs before departure; understand their roles and readiness to arrive and settle into information regarding their responsibilities during their study the United States of America. “I got a lot of capacity building from the induction. It increased my 49 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY various types of relevants materials become more confident to go, stay, for participants but some want and struggled with the course additional material about cultural material in the United States. “This shock, credit systems and event makes me able to prepare all universities grading systems in the the things needed to study abroad,” United States. Therefore some said a PRESTASI awardee. people suggested that there was a, “Need to add another night to the orientation.” FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI Another thing that is very are new to me, and very helpful,” Briefing on the general information and picture of the life and education in U.S. “This induction provides said another participant, “Induction FROM THE DEPARTURE TO TAKING PART While the PRESTASI recipients useful for the participants in the are taking the induction, the PDO is a meeting with fellow Training and Monitoring Division of PRESTASI scholarship recipients. PRESTASI are struggling with the They feel there are similarities of following matters; preparing all “fate” that make them united. “It their needs and documents etc. was great being able to meet up until they are completed and ready with fellow scholarship recipients to go. Communication with IIEF who will get the same experience,” partners in Washington DC during said one participant. the pre departure stage is Overall, based on the evaluation intensified. gives a lot of information before we results, which the participants leave for the USA.” delivered, the participants were things is to get information from IIE extremely satisfied with the about colleges that most deserves Amongst the briefing material One of the most important comprehensive information about deemed relevant to their needs activities of the PDO. They were the recipients. They certainly need what to do before, during, and after there is technical information on satisfied with the material to know the requirements in detail studying in the United States,” various things allowed and presented and they also gave the to facilitate their registration. commented a participant through forbidden in the USA and the thumbs up to the facilitators that an evaluation sheet. “All the regulations regarding USA they thought were excellent. materials delivered (the facilitators) immigration. IIEF has prepared The PDO induction makes them 50 Having completed the induction it was time for the scholarship recipients to choose colleges, and to fill out the application, which the the Division of Training and scholars must comply with donor entered prestigious schools in the details of requirements had been Monitoring of PRESTASI. funding capability. United States such as John Hopkins prepared by the PRESTASI IIEF. The Another obstacle, according to There are many ways to Rome. applications were then sent to the Wiwin, is that sometimes scholars There is always a way out. Having University of California Los Angeles United States. Then there is a are selected for colleges chosen by experience and good networking in (UCLA) and UC Davis. Even one of waiting stage, waiting for the IIEF team and actually the the United States, the IIEF and the our participants qualified for Yale information from the U.S. about who scholar wants to go somewhere IIE sometimes register scholars University - one of the American has been offered an acceptance and different. If this is not with additional scholarships. This is universities that fall into the Ivy who has not been offered an communicated until late in the because almost all universities have League. Due to our team, both in acceptance. process it becomes a difficult scholarship programs. There can Jakarta and in Washington DC, we problem with the deadlines be a kind of cost sharing to cover always try to prepare scholars to be generally do so because they chose looming. Addressing the same the cost margin of university with able to compete at a global level excellent campuses, or their issue, Wiwin claimed to be careful in the funding cap by the donor. “For and get the best results,” said TOEFL®ITP score is not enough. An making him/her understand. example, if tuition at the college Wiwin. excellent campus usually requires “Simply this,” Wiwin pointed out, “if was $ 50,000 they are given a $ the equivalent score of TOEFL®ITP you’re good at TOEFL®iBT you 10,000 discount which is really who have also worked hard and who of around 580. But their have many school choices. And vice good. That’s one of the things that take the whole program prepared TOEFL®ITP score were only 500 so versa. In principle scholars should we can do - It’s one of the ways. by the team of PRESTASI very automatically they have a limited also measure their own capacity. From the data IIEF recorded seriously - it is certainly a good choice. “The participants who are But basically this program allows approximately 56% of PRESTASI fortune. In their next curriculum not accepted by their chosen them to apply to any possible scholars obtained cost sharing from vitae they will be noted as USAID college have not failed – they will college.” the universities,” said the traveling PRESTASI and the great campuses’ and enthusiastic woman who has scholarship awardees. Participants who do not pass just have to take additional English The next obstacle is related to University, Duke University, For the participants themselves classes in the U.S. or choose the funding. Popular schools are another campus. That’s why we usually very expensive. On the always remind participants at the other hand this scholarship has dispatching and placing PRESTASI participants received beginning that if they are good at tuition cap (maximum tuition fees participants according to their own scholarships at prestigious English, they will automatically can be paid by USAID). That’s why choice of campus has its own campuses in America. With have more choices,” said Wiwin of the university tuition chosen by happiness. “Many participants have experience of dealing with the visited many countries. For her, the success of 51 Wiwin shared with us the secret recipe of IIEF, which is why many PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Also be Seen on Campus scholarship program for more than However, the IIEF task is not 20 years IIEF is well aware of a few automatically completed after the often have to submit my work in things that attract the attention of participants finish their study writing,” she explained. the leading campuses when they periods in the USA or Indonesia. are reading applicants’ essays. There are still other important field studied by Nia required based in Washington DC, Institute tasks such as monitoring the additional charges she submitted of International Education (IIE). The important application processes. development of each grantee’s additional fund proposals in order to IIE-PRESTASI team directly saw Training in essay writing for the study. This task is very important attend the courses. The proposals that PRESTASI students were participants before leaving is very to know the constraints faced by were accepted. “I think at that time enrolled at campuses in the USA. useful. EAP participants were also each student and then to take steps I could give a good reason, so my One example is PRESTASI students trained to write essays in English. to address them so that each request was granted,” she said. at Saint Louis University (SLU) and “Through the program modules grantee can study well and on that we have designed with LBI-UI, schedule. Essay writing is one of the most we train scholars to prepare essays, supported by the program, as I Not only that but as the subject Baryanto had another similar Endah Tri Kurnawaty, while The task of monitoring in the United States is carried out by a team from PRESTASI IIEF partners the University of Missouri, Saint story. When he was in a period of Louis, in the State of Missouri. At studying at the University of Gajah that time, there were four students although the application process studying at Indiana University Mada there were representatives of taking studies at the Faculty of may be done there (America). We proposed to get the additional the AED (Academy for Educational Public Health (School of Public review their essays here. Well, a Academic Writing Skills to the Development) who met with him to Health) at SLU. good essay is one of those PRESTASI scholarship program. “I ask if he was having difficulty in provisions to enter the top campus was asked to write a brief proposal taking his scholarship program. one of the IIE-PRESTASI Program there,” said Wiwin again. and sent it via email and the “Even the staff of the AED asked Officers the four students were proposal was accepted,” she said. me whether I was active in my close to one another. In fact there college and asked for my grades were two students who were late from the rector’s office,” he said. for about two months due to Having placed each awardee at a college either in the United States or Nia, the nickname of Endah Tri According to Rachael Fellabaum in Indonesia the next task of IIEF Kurniawaty, then took a class in team was to dispatch the scholars. academic writing skills outside of For those studying in the United the regular class schedule. The difficulties during his study he students who had already been in States the departure is usually entire cost of the course was fully considered it was a form of very SLU welcomed the two students conducted in August before the funded by the PRESTASI good monitoring to find out if and introduced them to the town semester starts. For about two years scholarship program students were having problems in and campus. The warm welcome they will study in the country (U.S.). administrators. “I was greatly their learning process. made the new students comfortable Although Baryanto doesn’t have 52 delayed visas. However, two From these encounters solemnly. The memorable night and their community. Once they are Fellabaum was very impressed not showed the close relationship back in Indonesia with their advanced only by the familiarity between between staff and PRESTASI skills, we hope they will re-enter the PRESTASI students at SLU but also students. work environment and their by their activities in the School of As a member of staff at IIE- community by upholding the values PRESTASI, Rachael Fellabaum felt of lifelong learning. Every experience communities. Fellabaum got the very fortunate to be able to witness they have is an opportunity to grow information from the faculty that the development of each student of and develop. By keeping on learning each PRESTASI student had PRESTASI during their study in the along their life the PRESTASI contributed valuable knowledge to USA. Most of the students thought scholars will definitely achieve their classmates about the Fellabaum did not realize that they extraordinary success as individuals, information and typical viewpoints had changed after two years of as professionals and as citizens.” of Indonesia. The PRESTASI living and studying outside of students, said faculty members, Indonesia. They have turned into semester the PRESTASI scholarship Lindsay Hillenberg visits Tyas at also showed willingness to more independent people, self- recipients who have graduated Florida Atlantic University understand America, as well as a confident, attentive, knowledgeable, gathered at IIE offices in sincere wish to share about their and focused on their future. Washington DC to participate in a FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI Public Health and in their and helped them in adapting to the culture and traditions to the people new environment and made their they met in Saint Louis. Towards the end of the Fellabaum also said, “We Re-Entry Workshop. This workshop sincerely hope the scholars will provides an opportunity for them to continue to grow and develop after reflect on the experience and to Fellabaum when they invited her their return to Indonesia. Surely they describe achievements and plan to PRESTASI students she felt the to come to their apartment. She will face the challenges of their apply their knowledge and skills. same hospitality as she got before got treats of typical foods from future but we hope their experience This meeting is also a great via telephone and email. However, Indonesia plus typical candied during their stay in the USA will be opportunity for them to develop a when meeting them directly she sweets of Saint Louis. That night able to assist them in meeting these network and to celebrate the could know more about the they had a party filled with life challenges in a creative and critical outstanding achievements that development of each student and stories and stories of their cultural way. In addition, we also expect them they have achieved. their ability to conduct themselves background and the Indonesian to share the knowledge and in areas where they attended school. National Anthem was sung experience to the work environment relationship closer. When Fellabaum met the Their hospitality was also shown 53 Before they come to the workshop they have been told in PRESTASI: A JOURNEY advance that they should bring a The relationship was developed hat and shirt or graduation toga. through joint work plans, through Having finished the workshop the organization of alumni sessions, wearing a toga, they pose PRESTASI called Alumni together in front of the Presidential Association PRESTASI–HICD Office of the USA, The White House. America Indonesia (ALPHA-I). This Of course this photo action along is one of the advantages of the with the toga, in front of the White PRESTASI program, which other House attracts the attention of scholarship agencies do not tourists visiting the place. Some possess tourists even ask students to “Because our binding feeling is not only when departing but also They also asked the scholars to after returning home. At least the explain PRESTASI program, what they have achieved and their plans for the future. Keep in Touch FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI explain where they came from. relationship is still maintained. If we have a project in an area, we have people to help with the project,” Rachael Fellabaum meets Bernie at University of Nebraska Another task to be done after graduation ceremony because their said Wiwin about the importance of visas had already expired. They the alumni organization. certainly couldn’t come to the PRESTASI Staff hope that the the scholarship recipients complete Moreover, their visas are only for graduation because they have to go graduates will continue to grow as their studies is the welcoming back one single entry to the USA so the back to their country. Well, they are mature people in the future. They of the PRESTASI alumni’s in to the validity period of their visa expires just preposterous. So that there is a all have great potential to grow as a country and to report their arrival on the day that they leave keepsake, the PRESTASI leader in the workplace and their scholarship recipients held their communities. PRESTASI staff wants own graduation. to keep on providing support and to USAID sponsor. The process of returning usually There is a funny story related to this visa deadline. There are some has no significant obstacles. No one universities that hold graduation Having returned to their was missing or did not want to go ceremonies after the scholarship homeland and back to their completeness they need to become home as the program does require recipients’ visas have expired. respective working environments successful members of society and them to return home at the end. Surely they could not wait for they still keep in touch with IIE. care. 54 guidance to equip them with a ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, ACTING PLACE WHILE BACK ALPHA-I ALREADY ROCKING STEP Having completed their studies in the United States and Indonesia the PRESTASI scholarship recipients and HICD (Human and Institutional Capacity Development), of course, have to apply their knowledge in their institutions as required by the contract between the donor (USAID), scholars and implementers (organizers of the program), how do the best people of this nation payback to Indonesia and FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI home and serve to their respective FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI environment. In spite of returning Seriously formulate the concept of Alumni Association Alumni meeting to prepare the establishment of ALPHA-I the public at large. The idea of an alumni association program implementers of HICD team of alumni as a result of the first Darsono was elected as chairman of has been initiated by USAID and the program. On receiving the PRESTASI alumni meeting attended by about 61 the Formation Team (representing the Academy for Educational Development program in May 2012, IIEF knew that alumni in February 2012, organized by Development Objective Team/DOT (AED), previously in charge of the USAID and AED had established a AED. In the meeting, Boediono Economic Growth), Silvy Andika Sari 55 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY team (Steering Committee) and the Organizing Committee (Executive Committee) was responsible for the agenda, the content and material that would be discussed in the alumni meeting. “We had long days full of lengthy discussions and sometimes there was a sharp conflict of opinion FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI among alumni but it was really fun,” said Lensi who was actively involved with the alumni at the Alumni establishment plan when it was initiated and finalized. The ideas were rolling and were Glenn E Anders, USAID Joshua dan Sylvi are having a discussion Indonesia Mission Director discussed intensively. Preceded by a small working team consisting of about (Education) as a secretary and three involving some of the alumni who organization of alumni, some even ten alumni - who were in charge of members of the formation: Jatmiko graduated under the program HICD as worried about if their activities in the preparing the national alumni Wahyu Nugroho Joshua (Democratic well as with PRESTASI. alumni associations could hamper their gathering - and supported by IIEF and careers in the office. USAID, the event, called National Governance), Ni Ketut Susilarini Initially IIEF was doubtful as to (Health) and Rosmala Daud whether an alumnus association could (Environment). But, after going through some Alumni Gathering, was held at Cemara be formed and whether there were intense meetings and discussions with Hotel, Jakarta, on March 2 to 4, 2012. alumni who will take the time to take alumni, IIEF and the alumni finally It was attended by as many as 61 alumni organization, Chief of Party care of the organization because the agreed to hold the second National people from various parts of the (COP) PRESTASI Mira Sambada and alumnus is generally busy with their Alumni Meeting in March 2012, in country. The alumni gathering her deputy, Deputy Chief of Party mounting activities after returning which IIEF acted as a facilitator of the atmosphere was so alive and full of (DCOP) Lensi Mursida held an initial home to Indonesia. The same doubts meeting and was responsible for the spirit. Three short days but three meeting with the formation team, were owned by some of the alumni logistics and administration, while the historic days. An agreement was followed by a series of meetings when told about the plan to form an Alumni Steering Committee formed a reached to name their organization the To follow the formation of an 56 form a complete management at central and regional levels, which will serve until 2014. The first national meeting of the full board was successfully held on 2627 May 2012 at the Hotel Bluesky Pandurata Jakarta. In this event statutes, systems and the completeness of work organization of ALPHA-I were the year. FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI formulated as well as the work plan for USAID and IIEF Representatives receive The work program, said Safik, was made with measurable impact. ALPHA-I plan to, at least once a year, To vote, to elect a leader book titled “Indonesia Optimis” from Alumni hold an international event, several events nationwide and some of the routine events on a smaller scale. The ALPHA-I, which stands for the of Public Policy, who works at ALPHA-I he hopes that the alumni can focus of the work program is in the Association of Alumni PRESTASI - Bappenas, the Secretary-General; and do something meaningful for Indonesia. areas of health, economic growth, HICD America Indonesia. Novi Anggriani, short-term training It is one of the intellectual environment, education and the program alumnus who works at The responsibilities to be properly strengthening of democracy and good Asia Foundation as Treasurer. managed. governance. Safik hopes that ALPHA-I As well as the name of the organization being agreed the alumni meeting also selected three people to Safik was called to actively initiate The secretary general Zaenal Arifin will develop programs that are able to form a “working cabinet” for ALPHA-I. the life of ALPHA-I because they feel had the same recollection as the contribute to a vision of ‘Re-inventing The three figure were Akhmad Safik, that it is proper that PRESTASI Alumni chairman. “It’s a mean of exploration Indonesia’ and to build a new an alumnus of the School of Law, should do things together - as they and an appropriate organization for our Indonesia. University of Washington, who teaches have been facilitated in the scholarship souls,” said the BAPPENAS employee. at the University of Al-Azhar, Jakarta, program. If done individually it will be as Chairman; Zaenal Arifin, an alumnus less effective. With this organization, carry out the mandate, which they hold. implement it. One of their inaugural of the University of Pittsburgh School and with Safik as chairman of the Just a few weeks later they managed to programs is ‘Climate Change Goes To Safik, Ary, and Novi moved quickly to 57 Having agreed the work program the board is moving quickly to PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Green Radio Jakarta. While interactive discussion was held on 4 September Voting Result Jakarta. FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI 2012 at @america, Pasific Place The realization of the next program is a workshop on the preparation of local budgets that are participatory. Mira Sambada, COP PRESTASI pinned ‘a pin’ to the The elected board forms a cabinet of ALPHA-I Secretary General of ALPHA-I in its first Rakernas Through this activity they want to transmit an understanding that good governance and clean environments require active involvement of and budgeting. The workshop was held FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI FOTO: IIEF-PRESTASI communities in development planning in Banda Aceh, September 2012. Workshop participants were young people, especially university students, Bingo Band in ‘Climate Change Interactive discussion on Climate Workshop on participatory budgeting along with local community leaders, Goes To School’ activity Change for youth in Banda Aceh journalists, NGOs and local government officials. School’, specifically for Jakarta and its Indonesia, third, interactive high school students about climate surrounding areas. These activities discussions, experience sharing, and change and they are expected to Born just a few months ago it has include: first, a writing contest with the seeing a movie concerning climate change their behavior patterns with made concrete steps. And the next same theme for all of the students, change together. The campaign against respect to the environment. steps to be taken have been arranged, secondly, interactive discussion on the climate change is rallied through the radio to discuss climate change from song with Bingo Band, which will program was held. The writing contest sake of many people, for a better the perspective of health, education hopefully establish a youth community began on July 2012 and ended on 17 Indonesia. Starting from something and the environment published by KBR who are aware of climate change. September 2012. Interactive dialogue small and done with joy. “I am always on the radio was already held on glad to do good things for other August 14, 2012 in collaboration with people,” said Zaenal Arifin. 68H Radio and relayed by the 50 radio networks in KBR 68H throughout The series premiere ALPHA-I According to Safik the activities are aimed to provide insight for the 58 ALPHA-I stepped up pretty quickly. - all of which are just merely for the AGUS YUDI WICAKSONO ALUMNI GAIT Master in Public Policy, Michigan State University, East Lansing school period in the United States Staff at the Center for Strategic Policy Studies, Ministry of Home Affairs make him amazed at the country’s Reflecting on Connecticut Sidewalks sidewalks. He even has a collection of photos of these sidewalks! According to him, the pavement is a reflection of a country’s services to its people. W hen he first set foot in Dulles International Airport, Washington DC, in August 2009, Agus Yudi Wicaksono was gob-smacked. His eyes were amazed by airport buildings in the United States capital. When taken to the Inn at the Churchill Hotel, located directly across from the Hilton Hotel, he was even more amazed. “There was a really great sidewalk,” said the man from Papua amazed. The sidewalk is located on Connecticut Avenue and is five feet wide. The edge of the sidewalk that FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI By the end of the PRESTASI program in September 2012 about 89 alumni of the Long Term Training (LTT) program of HICD and PRESTASI scholarship program have completed their studies and have returned to Indonesia. Together with 162 alumni of Short Term Training (STT) program, total alumni of FORECAST - HICD and PRESTASI program totals 251 people. Here are excerpts from some LTT alumni gait compiled by IIEF team. Coming and serving a two-year faces the street is made like a ramp. The sidewalk allows people in a wheelchair to easily roll down the sidewalk after they get off the bus.” In Indonesia the sidewalk is made An asset in Ministry perpendicular to the curb so that of Home Affairs motorcycles cannot pass. In the U.S., it 59 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY is made to decline so that people in PRESTASI program when the wheelchairs can go down without any program was called FORECAST - help,” told the second of four brothers. HICD - when he took an English course at the Central Administration Since then he began photographing the pavements on various roads in the of International Cooperation, United States to be a collection. For Ministry of Home Affairs. At that him the pavement becomes a mirror of time he was frustrated because his how the government functions in desire to continue his education was terms of community service. “I utterly tumbled by the education system’s felt it was a public service,” said the mechanism in Indonesia, including graduate of Michigan State University. information on scholarships in the country are closed. Thus, civil The sidewalk gave him the inspiration and self-confidence that his servants like him can only hope for position as a civil servant is serving a the ‘goodness’ of information from public function. “If our principle is the International Cooperation service, serve it well,” he said with a Administration Center. serious face. Yudi, was known in the The second obstacle he faced, as the Government High School person. Once, when received as a civil graduates in the State (STPDN), servant, the father of two children did Jatinangor, he just got D4 (diploma have the principle of serving in doing 4). “For S2 (master), I must take the his tasks. The implementation, said S1 (bachelor),” he said. However, after Yudi, is not only serving the a team from the Academy for community but also have to make coworkers comfortable when serving one another. Fortunate after Frustration Yudi got information about the FOTO: PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION neighborhood as a very serious Educational Development (AED), the contractor HICD program, verified to STPDN and finally obtained an explanation, despite STPDN being D4 Sidewalks in Michigan that interest Yudi the number of credits (semester credit system) required by STPDN is equivalent to S1 and Yudi finally went only. “Oh, I was depressed,” he said. In Yudi had no problem with the change analyzing. The first is the qualitative through. the classroom he could not respond to of weather in the country. Because, he provision of STPDN. The second is When registering for PRESTASI the ongoing discussions. “Sometimes I said, he was familiar with the heat and quantitative analyzing - a Yudi found it difficult to qualify. His feel that my work was well written but cold temperatures from his childhood characteristic he learned at his U.S. TOEFL®ITP score was only 463, much my professor did not understand what in Papua. “Wamena was bitterly cold, College. “I used to read the data and lower of the requirements for I wrote,” he recalled, laughing. Abepura was hot. It was not so quantify the phenomenon and then different,” said Yudi, who spent his explain it in a qualitative way,” he said. placement at a university in the land of His confidence appeared after two Uncle Sam, which requires 550. semesters in the U.S.. He began childhood until his high school in For example, he said, when the data “Perhaps the reviewer saw my resolve,” actively participating in the Papua. from the Central Statistics Agency he thought. Due to his strong will Yudi discussions. Even in the class he continued and he participated in a became an unofficial resource for lived in a university apartment for the high school teachers in 2004 and says ‘debate’ in front of six reviewers. “I’ve undergraduate students at Michigan second half of his stay. “Once the that the number decreased in 2009 by been like a vent, explaining my anxiety State University about the history of heating was turned off I finally learned 15% the data would not be ‘read’. “If about the service and why I want to Indonesia in the subject of Indonesian to use heating blankets,” he said, you go down by 15% it is necessary to learn in the United States,” he said. Politics and Moslems (Indonesia and laughing. find the number of 15%,” he said. His sincerity to re-learn was costly as when he had to go to America his The problem he had was when he Muslim Politics). Once back in Indonesia Yudi His unyielding spirit enabled him to (BPS) gives figures for the number of Yudi know the 15% reduction rate became a mainstay of his office in the occurred because many people wife was pregnant. “It’s hard for me to overcome challenges gradually. Having Central of Strategic Policy Studies, actually still want to become civil leave my wife,” he said. succeeded in finding ‘the light’ at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Yudi has to servants (PNS), but they were stuck campus he also enlightened us about analyze the policy quickly for for the policy of the government of also not easy for Yudi as the United where he lived which was fairly far consideration and report to the Indonesia, which imposes civil servant States was the first foreign country he away from the campus, especially he Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan moratorium so they finally moved into had visited. He had many difficulties. had to go home in the evening. “It was Fauzi. The report should be brief and the teaching profession. “Apparently, it For example, although his TOEFL®ITP easy to find transport but I had to clear. “Top management do not have was a strategy of many people in the score was already qualified 550 Yudi concentrate on where I was going,” he time to read long reports so they area to remain as civil servants,” he was still not good at writing so he had said. He had only three days of should be clear and concise,” said said. to take English classes in the morning preparation prior to arriving in Public Policy graduate of Michigan and in the evenings - for an entire America. State University. Arriving in the United States was semester he could take one subject Although there were four seasons, Yudi applies two approaches in 61 Yudi’s expertise is greatly appreciated by his boss, Chief of Center for Strategic Policy Studies of PRESTASI: A JOURNEY the Ministry of Home Affairs, Anselmus home from Michigan some colleagues Tan. “He was the mainstay of my in the Ministry considered his actions a confirmation,” said Anselmus. Yudi, said little vain just because he is from making reports. One day his division local government and then to process it. Anselmus, became the person to ask to abroad. If it were so, Anselmus said, he got the task of designing bureaucratic At least, go to Regional Planning confirm various things to get the basic would take Yudi to his room to halt his reform from the minister. He worked Agency (BAPPEDA), or the Regional logic of an academic issue. actions. along with other fields working on Secretariat in provincial, district or city projects to improve performance. level. “But he has also widely Yudi, according to Anselmus, is conducting meetings in English. Anselmus praised Yudi’s speed in In short, Yudi is very fortunate to working relationship to the area is usually just to request data from the very strong in issue comparison. “He have a leader like Anselmus who Reports were given by each field and requested feed back from the can compare the problems in detail considers him a cadre in the MOHA. the department at the ministry. The community and included it in the report. and help me decide which one is the Yudi, as revealed by Anselmus, has reports were all compiled and analyzed Thus the performance evaluation,” says best solution,” he said. been an outstanding member of staff by Yudi. Anselmus asked for the Wildan, “becomes more ‘alive’.” Anselmus praised Yudi’s since he arrived in his new office. “I’ve reports to be completed on that day, progressive attitude. “His affection is known him since 2008, he has a because it will be submitted to Minister more humanistic after returning from good which is also a nice surprise,” strong will and stubbornness,” said Gamawan on the next day. “At two in America. “He was stern, A is A and B said Anselmus. He thinks that now Anselmus. But he did not think his the morning I was relieved – he sent is B - probably because of his Yudi has become wiser in delivering his stubbornness affected his will to learn, me good reports via email,” he said. militaristic education. Now he wants to opinions. “He’s more polite,” he added. Yudi will spend a lot more time on an His politeness, he said, was not English course at the British Institute. Anselmus praise. “He was already apparent when he is arguing. Although seen when he recently graduated from “Finally I asked him to borrow books smart by nature,” said the graduate of he makes strong quantitative STPDN. “In STPDN the one who was from there.” the University of Indonesia about Yudi. arguments backed up by qualitative Wildan has known Yudi since February data Yudi sometimes will also concede. wrong used to be grounded as though Wildan Fathurahman also confirmed Not only that but with his improved According to Wildan Yudi become learn to understand others.” It is everything is black and white.” It’s a English skills Yudi is Anselmus’s 2009. Wildan saw that the father of two habit that Yudi brought to his office at mainstay in every moment that children has rapidly progressed. Yudi, he Agus Yudi Wicaksono is well known the Ministry of Home Affairs. “I requires English. “I asked him to make said, “is not only good in terms of throughout the MOHA, both for his work directed him to be more flexible,” said the resume of books borrowed, concept but also at implementation. All contribution and for his stubbornness. Anselmus. However, sometimes the Handbooks of Regional and Local he did was feasible.” Secretary General and Director ‘real character’ still comes out. “He’s Government.” After Yudi came home from Papua and sometimes quite from the United States Anselmus gave reports while on duty outside Jakarta. achievements. Wildan asserted, “He is stubborn,” he said. After returning him additional tasks such as Wildan said that as a civil servant the an asset to the Ministry.” He also formed the habit of making 62 Because of all his achievements, General are well aware of his even to those who have just met him. Safik is known as someone who has a high interest in the intellectual world. While he was still a student, Safik together with Anis Baswedan, his younger classmate and several other activists of the Student Senate at the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), founded CSCD (Center of Student and Community AKHMAD SAFIK Development). Master of Economics Legal - University of Washington School of Law, Seattle His love for the intellectual world also drove him to be a public Lecturer of University of al-Azhar Indonesia FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI policy consultant in the Land and Considering Law in Economic ‘Scale’ Law Initiative project funded by the USAID-led by the Rural Development Institute (RDI), Seattle, United States of America, in cooperation with the National Person who have a Land Agency and the University of strong will Indonesia. It apparently drove him to the scholarship in the United His love for the intellectual world led him to leave his S-3 It was not difficult to feel Researcher at the Center for the States. RDI is a nonprofit comfortable with a man born Study of Law and Economics, corporation based in the U.S. and a college, and chose an S-2 college in Tegal, a region on the North Faculty of Law, University of unique organization in which the in America through the PRESTASI Coast of Java, which became his Indonesia and Lecturer at the lawyers devote their time to program. As a result he viewed foundation for religious life, Faculty of Law of the University of studying and dealing with problems legal problems in Indonesia more independence, egalitarianism and Al-Azhar Indonesia, is known as a of land reform and related issues in clearly. inclusiveness. The Senior fun person who is easy to respect developing countries and in 63 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY environment of international institutions. Through this project he studied law and land policy which took him to work closely with Professor Roy L. Prosterman, Professor of Law at the University of Washington who has been nominated as an awardee of the Nobel Peace Prize three times. In October 2006, together with Professor Prosterman and Senior Attorney Robert Mitchell, Safik launched the RDI report entitled “Productivity of Intensively Used Homestead Plots in a Central Javanese Village” which is the result of field research into land FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI problems in Central Java for the project of the Land Law Initiative. Because of his expertise and knowledge in the field of law and land policy Safik is often invited to participate in USAID activities, especially in the office of Economic Sharing knowledge with students research and provide advice on the across majors issue of land reform in more than under the coordination of programs and issues related to 40 countries in Asia, Latin Economic Growth (EG) USAID land with guests and experts from countries with economies in America, Africa, Eastern Europe Office, involved him with a world he the United States and the National transition. RDI has conducted field and the Middle East. longed for - that is working in the Land Agency. Safik said that at the The Land Law Initiative Project, 64 Growth, to discuss the various beginning he was not really agrarian law. It also made him United States and Indonesia, he are totally different from Indonesia. interested in applying for the interested in exploring and discovered that the PhD programs Even when compared to S3 in scholarship program because he developing the theoretical and Economic Law turned out to be Indonesia, a Masters Program in was still in his first year of doctoral relationship between law and in the Departments of Economics the United States is more heavy study at the University of economics. Because, according to instead of the Law School. In other weighted. Because studying in Indonesia. him, the legal approach has many words if he wanted to continue his America, if we can use his obstacles so the law should also be studies in the field of law and expression, is “total football”. “The program with colleagues and approached from the principles of economics – it was tantamount to facilities and infrastructure of seniors at the Center for the Study efficiency in economics, so an economics PhD program where higher education there (University of Law and Economics Faculty of normative considerations are the main subject is pure economics of Washington, Seattle) cannot be Law, the University of Indonesia, as completed with cost and benefit and quantitative as calculus, found here,” he said excitedly. The well as with the staff of USAID considerations to ensure that integral, differential, econometrics excellent combination of qualified Economic Growth Office, Safik justice should provide greater and statistics. Unfortunately his professor, educational facilities, the believed that the program was benefits to society than the costs goals could not be met and with a interaction of the international interesting and provided new to pay. heavy heart he finally decided to academics community and take a masters in the field of law excellent curriculum provides a very important experience. But after discussing the challenges for his career and life. Feeling reluctant to leave his Finally in 2008, the man who had doctoral program at UI he was and economics at the University of completed his undergraduate relieved after he passed the Washington School of Law. college in the social economics scholarship selection for a PhD agriculture department, Faculty of program in the United States. But family finally let him step off to Agriculture, graduated from Faculty his happiness was limited by achieve his dream in America. Seattle (2009-2011) Safik admitted of Economics University of constraints. Safik was hampered Having arrived in the United State that there were two significant Indonesia and Master of Law throughout his college because it and starting his study, he got an benefits: firstly, degree (of course Economics UI, sent an application was hard to find a campus for the impression that is far from his including the quality of science), to continue doctoral studies in the purposes of studying Law and expectation and this new impres- and secondly, the more extensive United States. Economics. From the information sion more or less has made up his networks (intellectual networking). about the colleges in the United disappointment no to pursue his Upon returning home from background Safik seemed to be States he acquired online and from PhD. Apparently, according to America, he has a new perspective destined to focus on the field of discussions with colleagues in the Safik, lectures for S2 in the U.S. to look at an issue. In the legal From a varied educational Following intensive talks his 65 New Perspective Having studied for two years in PRESTASI: A JOURNEY sector, for example, he believes he just as important as the struggle to was changed after returning home academics and research. Fokky learned a lot and he was always study in America. As a lecturer at from the United States. “Safik is also thinks that Safik deserves encouraged to see the issues more the Faculty of Law, al-Azhar more ‘cool’ and open and his another scholarship to continue clearly and comprehensively. The University, he did not hesitate to scientific expertise is increasingly his doctoral studies. former campus activist soon share knowledge, perspective or sharp especially for the field of realized how many things must be just a casual chat with the economic law and land law which changed a little since coming developed and improved in this students, both in class and in the is the area of his expertise. His home from studying in the United area. He hopes that with his coffee shop at the back of the capacity exceeds beyond the States. Fokky said that Safik’s knowledge and networks he can campus. knowledge of professors,” he said. style previously was more ‘Java’, However, Safik is still the same. now he’s ‘American Style’, more He has not become arrogant straightforward and more improve himself as a scientist in order to bring more benefits to the community. Not only in the More Cool, Open and Realistic Safik, who is also a frequent According to Fokky, Safik has because he is an American concrete. In his view of the legal academic sphere, Safik, who is guest speaker at various graduate. As a colleague and a issues Safik is more critical and often a consultant in projects of discussions in the House of friend Rahmat hopes Safik is able does not want to play in opinions USAID, World Bank, International Representatives, is known to his to complete his education to but he is always based on legal Finance Corporation (IFC), the colleagues as a strong-willed become a professor in his field. facts. “The style is very Anglo- Asian Development Bank (ADB) person. One example of his strong Moreover, Safik who is also Saxon,” said Fokky. and other international agencies, will is that he studied the law actively involved in various wants actively to give ideas as part without having any legal activities on campus and the feels that after returning from of his contribution in the search for background. “Despite his community is now also actively America, Safik was no longer just solutions to the many problems undergraduate background not in participating in designing the an average lecturer. Whereas in faced by the nation of Indonesia. the field of law, he has shown that post-graduate program at the the past he would just teach and The man who had studied at he is able to conquer the University of Al-Azhar. Almost in go home, Safik is now a lecturer boarding school is always reminded challenges,” said Rahmat Bagja, line with Rahmat, the other who stays longer on campus and by the words of his wife: “If I alumni of the University of Utrecht, fellows of Safik such as Dr. Fooky actively involves a number of already knew a lot of things now I who was also his colleague at the Fuad, SH. M. Hum thought that students in informal discussion know how to make it happen in the University of Al-Azhar. Safik deserved scholarships forums. Through forums often because of his high intellectual held in coffee shop at the back of and his positive attitude towards the campus Safik shares community.” Real action after returning back home is certainly In the eyes of Rahmat, Safik, who he has known since 2006, 66 Not only that but Fokky also knowledge and enlightens Elmiyah selected for inclusion in Erman is sure that with his than 40 doctoral Legal Studies at students across majors to see the the book entitled Legalizing Land qualities and willingness, Safik will the University of Indonesia, North problems more clearly and Rights: Local Practices, State be successful if he continues to Sumatra University, and other critically and not to get stuck in Responses and Tenure Security in pursue a doctorate in the United universities took a book from a the paradigm of others. “Meeting Africa, Asia and Latin America, States. Holders of LLMs and PhDs shelf in his office. While showing and chatting with young people edited by Janine M. Ubink, André from the same alma mater as a book titled Economic Law he reminds me of the days when I J. Hoekema, and Willem J. Assies. Safik, he saw Safik as a team said, “The way of analyzing which was a student activist,” said Safik The Books that are distributed for member who quickly adapted to Safik brought from the United happily. Amsterdam University Press the working environment - a fast States is a new perspective in the Another souvenir that Safik presented 20 interesting scientific learner and dynamic. “I just gave completion of the law.” brought from the United States is articles about the problem of land him a little guidance and he was his more realistic view of the law rights in different parts of the able to do what was asked,” said and not just relying on quotations world, including cases of land in award-winning Chapter of the of existing legislation. As a Indonesia. Order of the Coif from the colleague, Fokky hopes that Safik, Safik’s productivity in writing Wanting to Reinvent Indonesia through ALPHA-I After receiving a scholarship, University of Washington in 2001, according to Safik, it is proper for smiling. those who are fortunate enough to with other colleagues, will make has added his value in the eyes of an innovative breakthrough at the the law professor. For Prof. Erman, campus of Al-Azhar. the measurement of an academics Cabinet since President Habibie to their studies to do something for person is not only if they can President Susilo Bambang Indonesia. “We have to pay back Rajagukguk SH, LLM. Ph.D., Dean teach, but also if they can actively Yudhoyono from the years 1998 - to Indonesia because it has funded of the Faculty of Law, University do research and write. He did not 2005 also saw that education in a two-year college program of Al Azhar Indonesia who was hesitate to give America made positive through the cooperation between also Safik’s leader, called him a recommendations for Safik to contribution in changing the the government of Indonesia and ‘young talented man who reflected continue his studies in the United mindset of Safik which made him the United States,” he said. spirit’. Safik often writes with States because the professor more realistic and always focusing However, if the effort to “pay back” Prof. Erman. One article titled thinks Safik as a ‘full figure’: on the facts and not getting is done individually, Safik thinks it Land Law in Indonesia, which was talented with great intellectual caught up in opinions which can will not be so effective. Therefore written with Herman Slaats, capacity, strong and with good sometimes be misleading. Erman Safik did not refuse when the Erman Rajagukguk, and Nurul English language skills. who has been a promoter of more majority of alumni friends and In line with Fokky, Prof. Erman Deputy Secretary of the 67 have the opportunity to continue PRESTASI: A JOURNEY colleagues of HICD-PRESTASI run and gained success in is the environmentally conscious,” said horticulture sector, financed by the chose him as the first chairman of program ‘Climate Change Goes To Safik. World Bank and Prof. Erman the alumni association in the School’ (CGTS). This is a program, second alumni National Meeting in which aims to provide an measurable program, ALPHA-I is moved on to a study of the Land March 2012. Through ALPHA-I, understanding to high school planning to organize an Registration Strategy with the Safik hopes the alumni can do students about climate change and international event at least once a support of BAPPENAS conducted something meaningful for its impacts. It is packaged in an year, several national events and in the province of West Nusa Indonesia, as one of the exciting series of events suitable several regular events that are Tenggara, Lampung and Central intellectuals’ responsibilities is for young children: it starts with a smaller in scope. “Comrades of Java. At the same time, Safik is a proper management. “Our vision Radio Talk Show on climate change ALPHA-I that are now onboard are member of the team that helped at the ALPHA-I is to rediscover issues at KBR 68H which was now in high spirits. It is nice to be prepare the Land Bill, which will be Indonesia which is great and relayed by 50 radio of KBR 68H back in an inspiring environment, an important legislation product in glorious, or, as we call it ‘ Re- networks throughout Indonesia; which is full of motivation,” said development of land policy in inventing Indonesia,” said Safik. there is also an essay competition the former activist. Indonesia in the future. He was For the father of five children, with for high school students in So how did he manage his time the surge of globalization, the JABODETABEK; Interactive in his variety of activities, ranging to study Law Number 2/2012 on Indonesian nation must find the Dialogue on Climate Change with from teaching, a consultant and Land Acquisition for Public Interest strength within itself, the true experts and public figures - which speaker for several national and and many other implementing identity and power of local policies was attended by more than a international projects, taking care regulations. This study is very (local wisdom) that should be the hundred high school students and of ALPHA-I and being a father? important in building and designing supporting of the strength of teachers aides; a campaign for Safik replied, laughing, “That’s the the concept of a Social Safeguard nation and country. In that awareness of climate change art. However, if we go through it all System, which is very important in context he considers that ALPHA-I through a song with the Bingo with sincere heart, everything economic infrastructure is an intellectual project that is Band which launched four songs feels wonderful anyway.” development in Indonesia. expected to contribute meaningful about the environment and values for a better Indonesia in the As an organization with a Rajagukguk, has immediately also a legal specialist for the ADB Today, in addition to teaching In the midst of mounting climate change. “Through a series on campus, filling various scientific activities Safik was preparing to future through the program design of activities that - albeit small - we forums, Safik, who recently re-design his future to achieve his which has measurable impact. hope can contribute to change our completed a study on the impact of old dream: to go back to Seattle behavior to be more legislation on investment in the and take a Ph.D. One of the programs they’ve 68 BARYANTO, SH., LL.M Master of Law, Magister of Law, University of Gajah Mada (MIH - UGM), Yogyakarta Wates Court Judge Jogjakarta Want to Provide Prima Legal Services Baryanto was also asked about his the University of Diponegoro integrity as a judge. “I was asked (UNDIP). Social minded judge FOTO: PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION many things, but what I remember “I chose UNDIP because the most was the question that led to criminal law faculty in UNDIP has my integrity as a judge,” he received the title classification of explained. It was fair. This A,” said Baryanto but, he failed to profession is in the spotlight of get his university dream to study at society and considering the numbers UNDIP because the committee did of rogue judges who abuse their not want PRESTASI recipients to authority and the quality of justice in study if their results were not Indonesia. objective. Meanwhile UI had already A few weeks later Baryanto closed its enrollment for master received information that made students. “So the choice is UGM,” accept interview requests in his him happy. He had passed the continued Baryanto. As a his boss Baryanto rushed back to work place. Besides the noise, selection and been awarded a requirement to take the master’s his official residence. The Judge of answering the phone at home, would scholarship from the PRESTASI program, prospective students must the Semarapura Court, Bali, is about be more comfortable and he would be program. “I passed the selection pass the tests conducted by UGM. to be interviewed by the AED able to focus more on the answers. with a note,” he said, because, at “Therefore, I pass the PRESTASI that time he had three choices in selection program with a note. The the interview, in addition to Indonesia Universities, namely the note is, if I pass the entrance test,” being asked about his University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), said the man born in Salatiga in University of Indonesia (UI), and 1976. After receiving permission from (Academy for Educational Development) in connection with his application for the PRESTASI scholarship program. He could not In knowledge in the field of law, 69 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Answering the Challenge with Action study more quickly. Just because the we have to make decisions and with a very tight schedule. From his graduation was held at a certain breakthrough our struggles in life,” residence in Kulonprogo he should period, then I have to wait a few he added. student at UGM, Baryanto feels arrive in Yogyakarta at six in the months to take the graduation very fortunate to have the support morning. “Since the course starts ceremony,” said the sports and college in 1998 he did not just jump of his superiors. He did not need to at seven in the morning and goes reading fan. in to the legal world but he worked take a leave of absence for leaving through to 12 o’clock,” he Semarapura court, Bali instead his explained. After that, at one boss moved him to Wates District o’clock, he should be in Wates Court, Yogyakarta, in order that the District Court to convene until five disciplined, Baryanto comes from a weddings. In this place, he was also alumni of the Faculty of Law, 1995 in the afternoon. modest family. “My parents were forged to be professional. As a Now accepted as a master’s Baryanto tackled the challenge When Baryanto graduated from as a general affair in a foundation Rooster Crowing Luck Whilst being hard working and that rents a multipurpose building for a variety of events, including only civil servants - category II, it general affair, he had to take care of judge at the same time as studying. In Court, Baryanto has the support of was almost impossible for them to everything and make sure that all fact he was just serving his duty in his boss again and the understanding finance their children through went well, ranging from scheduling, the District Court Semapura for eight of a number of colleagues. If any school,” he told. However Baryanto business cleaning service, study, months from a three-year of his proceedings involving him as the never gave up and during his time going down to the parking lot where official duty. judge commence and Baryanto has studying at UNDIP he also worked the parking attendants needed help still not arrived from Yogyakarta the as marketing staff in an electronics etc. “The impression was that I was moving my post, in addition the leader of the court allows the trial company to pay his way through working odd jobs,” he said with a number of judges is very low, to be postponed until Baryanto is college. It is Baryanto’s journey laugh. therefore I was requested to still available. Of course this does not through life that is full of passion has work while studying,” he explained. happen often, but the policy was very inspired him. “Life must have a of the wedding guest in the building Taking a master’s program or S2 helpful for me,” he said. target and we must fight to reach where he worked was also a friend of As a result of being able to the target by answering all of the his mother. “At that time I was matter but for Baryanto it became a overcome his challenges Baryanto challenges along the way,” he said helping a parking attendant who was challenge. “The challenge is, will I or graduated cum laude. He even excitedly. The work he did also very busy,” he recounted. “A few days won’t I be able to arrange my completed his theoretical courses taught him lessons that he did not later the guest asked my mother schedule between working and ahead of schedule – in just a year have on campus. “Another lesson I whether I worked as a parking studying,” he explained. and eight months. “I completed my learned in my job as a judge is that attendant,” he said, laughing. class can still perform his duties as a “My superior facilitated me by while still working is not an easy During his duties in Wates District 70 A funny story happened when one day of the acceptance period,” he admitted. Fortunately, AED who was managing the PRESTASI program still considered his proposal. Passing the selection for the PRESTASI scholarship program also involved an element of luck for Baryanto. “While being interviewed his neighbors rooster kept crowing,” he relates. The rooster crow was apparently heard through the phone though Baryanto himself did not realize there was a rooster crowing during the interview. The cock crowing sound seemed to make the interviewer want to laugh. Even FOTO: PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION when Baryanto had an opportunity Often appointed as a mediator judge Luck, according to Baryanto, also to see Kay Ikranegara, Chief of Party (COP) Program HICD, Kay immediately greeted Baryanto by saying “I heard the back sound when you were interviewed.” Baryanto did not understand the sentence so Kay went on to explain that there was a example, it was actually too late to only two days to complete the cock crowing sound during the plays an important role in his life. send in his proposal. He received a requirements. “I received the interview with him. “I wonder if I was “This could also be a gift from the brochure that was sent from the High brochure on Wednesday, I completed qualified for the selection because of Almighty,” he said. When receiving Court of Denpasar to the District the requirements on Thursday, and I the crowing cock, maybe they took PRESTASI scholarship brochure, for Court of Semarapura. There were sent it on Friday which was the last pity on me,” he joked. 71 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Improving Legal Services through the courts. “The problem is, 180.000 and the processing time something to the supreme court. the Act does not mention the becomes just two weeks. “In “People sometimes think that a Baryanto feels more open-minded in procedures in detail,” he explained. principle, I just want legal services small salary is the cause of judges the legal field particularly on issues In general, obtaining a birth to the community to be as excellent not having enough skills but there is relating to the community. One issue certificate requires at least six and as cheap and fast as possible,” no truth in this story that a small is the long legal process in civil months. said Baryanto. This mechanism is salary cannot provide good services,” apparently welcomed by the he said. Having completed his studies cases. “The judge was given six “I’m looking for a way to shorten months to resolve the civil cases. the process of maintaining the birth community and eventually It’s too long,” said the father of certificate,” he said seriously. The Baryanto’s principal allowed another judge during this time that was three children. trick is, when submitting a birth judge to apply the same pattern. recruiting fresh graduates then That’s why when handling civil Baryanto recounts the story of a bringing them up from zero. “So certificate, the applicant should The Hidden Desires cases he tries to maximize the already know the registration efforts of both parties to pursue number, when and who will convene The improvement in legal judges have no experiences,” he said. peace efforts. “I give input on the at a scheduled time. In short, all the services is Baryanto’s obsession. A judges’ position is supposed to be side of law to both parties. If the necessary data must be known once According to him judges should have one of a problem solver and they parties to the dispute are willing to the applicant has filed the the opportunity to enhance their must sit with various authorities - take the peace efforts, they do not application letter. That way the knowledge and skills through a judges must have good integrity and waste time and the case is applicant will not run out of time variety of training. “By improving comprehensive knowledge completed with peace,” he said. and can always check the schedule their knowledge and skills, the judges’ capabilities. “Honesty will for when the trial will be conducted. integrity and attitude to service will increasingly appear together with management of birth certificates “At first it was hard and there was a be more alert to provide as excellent education,” said Baryanto. He hopes according to Baryanto is also lot of resistance, so I implemented legal services as possible and as that scholarship programs will reach inefficient. Law no. 23 of 2006 on the mechanism on my own,” he said. cheaply as possible to the many judges in rural areas and community,” he explained. communities in remote areas of The legal mechanism for the Population and Civil Registry, Even the arrangement of a birth since they were recruited, these Baryanto explained, states that certificate is getting cheaper. With Improving the skills and when the birth certificate was made the old pattern, people needed to knowledge of judges, continued more than a year after the child’s spend between Rp 500,000 to Rp Baryanto, should be regarded as an entire justice system is in the birth there must be a determination 600,000. With this new pattern attempt to provide an opportunity process of working towards being of the court or it must be requested people just need to spend only Rp for the judges to be able to contribute better and faster. One of the ways to 72 Indonesia. Baryanto also hopes that the achieve this is to synergize and spirit,” said Kun Tri Wibowo process now runs faster,” said Emma, harmonize the existing systems in Haryanto, SH, MH, colleagues in the who has known Baryanto since 2010. the court office by applying Office of the State Court Wates. A similar opinion is voiced by was included in the category of a Information Technology (IT) in the When there was a celebration for Acice Sendong, SH, MH, Baryanto’s good judge, hopefully he will stay right order. Baryanto exemplifies the Independence Day in the institute superior. “The panel of judges consistent and become more application of Case Track Systems he worked, for example, Baryanto assessing Baryanto found that he knowledgeable and increasingly (CTS), which are now beginning to participated by giving gifts. “He is was frequently appointed as a professional as a judge.” During her be set up in some of the district also contributing to an orphanage, judge mediator,” said Acice lead in the Court Wates, Acice courts. “This technology allows the his personality is good,” Kun added. Sendong, SH, MH. “He does not claimed not to have a negative always successfully reconcile the record on Baryanto. public to monitor the progress of In line with Kun, Emma Sri Acice hopes Baryanto remains consistent and honest person. “He the case, the number of registers, Setyowati, SH, MHum thought parties because it is sometimes where the judicial processes are Baryanto was a flexible figure and impossible to reconcile their happening and the decisions and good at associating. “He’s got a lot differences but at least he has tried how much it costs,” he explained. of ideas, like giving reasonable so hard to find common grounds,” expectation on ALPHA-I. Baryanto, “Indeed CTS in Palembang was just input, this is our favorite thing she continued. who lined up to star as the Vice a form of Local Area Network (LAN) about him in the association,” she or a connection between computers said. in that office,” added Baryanto. If Baryanto’s superiors in Wates According to Emma, with the Better Real Actions Baryanto has a number of Chairman of the Democratic court often give him positive Governance Division, hopes ALPHA-I feedback. “His performance is can be a pressure group, which is the system is running by connecting knowledge he had and his good pretty good, he often gives positive able to contribute positively to information from the District Court personality, Baryanto was appointed feedback and scientific input,” government programs. “We can to the Supreme Court, “it will as a mediator judge in civil case explained Acice. One of Baryanto’s provide input or real actions, for undoubtedly bring many benefits, several times. “His efforts to find inputs, said Acice, is the system of example to follow up programs that especially to ease the access to the common ground between the two “one day service” which means have been set up by the government information and control over the disputing parties was excellent,” she work being completed on the same to be more effective, feasible and practice of law mafia,” he assured. said. It is no wonder that in some day as it comes in. Although the appropriately used.” According to civil cases, Baryanto has succeeded processes still need to be him this will prove that education in reducing the number of claims on implemented at least the concept is and scholarships are good for the one side, so that the other side can very good for Acice to improve nation rather than undermining meet the demand. “The judicial legal services for the community. state policy. Professional Judge in Social Soul “Baryanto has a highly social 73 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY BINTARTI YUSRIANA Master in the Field of Science Education (Curriculum and Instruction), University of Illinois, Urbana Lecturer of the State Islamic University (UIN) Gunung Jati, Bandung Shy at First, Full of Confidence Now The change is quite striking in through a scholarship and had been Bintarti since returning home from preparing for TOEFL®ITP diligently. America. Bintarti has much more She then nodded her head in a sign of confidence, which is important for a understanding when she read about teacher. the requirements that must be met. “It was my TOEFL®ITP 550,” she On a Thursday in the month of November 2008, Bintarti is offered was education. At least that was surfing the Internet and visiting was what she understood after various sites. The veiled woman reading it again. She pondered for a gasped as she opened the site of the moment whilst she tried to Ministry of Religious Affairs. There is understand if she was in a position to an announcement on a scholarship to qualify for a scholarship. USAID. Bintarti was immediately 74 On the website, the only subject engrossed in front of a computer. She the United States, sponsored by FOTO: HARI NUGROHO/IIEF-PRESTASI Known as a smart and diligent person said. At that time Bintarti was teaching at Tarbiyah Faculty, at the State Islamic University (UIN) Gunung Jati, interested in the program. She had Bandung as a lecturer. She only been looking for an announcement of taught once a week and at the same this kind for a long time. She had the time she was active in the Faculty of dream of going to school abroad Medicine UPN Veteran in Jakarta. Her activities meant that she had to travel her side and she achieved all that she taught in Biology Education Tarbiyah students easily understand by back and forth from Bandung-Jakarta. sought on that day, including meeting where Bintarti serves as Subandi’s listening, others understand easily by In Jakarta she lived with her relatives the lecturer who is known to be assistant lecturer. seeing and there are also students and she lived with her parents in difficult to meet. “Thank God I was Bandung. lucky there. All gave me their has thanked God many times for how by reading. As a teacher, she wrote in recommendations even though I’m smooth the process was for her. She the essay, she should understand her schools. It is not proper to ask for not a lecturer there. They only asked was becoming more confident after student’s characters and not discredit recommendations from the Faculty normal matters, nothing repeatedly taking the tests in a them. “It should be a one-page essay of Medicine of UPN so I should just adventurous,” she recalls. number of scholarship programs but but I just wrote a third of the page. It always failed. She had already was a short one,” she said, smiling. The offer is for education ask for recommendations from the Bintarti is greatly happy and she Chairwoman of the Biology Study who understand their lessons better Faculty of Tarbiyah UIN Bandung,” she Program Faculty of Tarbiyah UIN pocketed the recommendation and muttered to herself. Just for a note, Bandung, Dr.Hj. Tuti Kurniati, M.Ed, rechecked the requirements. Besides sent to Jakarta on Saturday morning Faculty of Tarbiyah is similar to the said, she recommended Bintarti for academic papers she had already via travel services. She kept on Faculty of Teacher Training. She was the progress of UIN. She said that in prepared the day before in Jakarta praying in order that the documents really counting on the Biology Education there is no lecturer there was apparently another one arrived in Jakarta safely for that was recommendation, as one of several who has studied abroad. “Later she that was an essay. the last day for submitting the conditions is a recommendation from could share her experience of the institution where she works. studying abroad with lecturers here,” had been teaching Biology Education she said. for seven years at one of private The announcement for the scholarship said that the form should On Friday night, the woman who Her superior in UIN, Dr. Ir. HM. campus in Purwokerto, wrote an The completed documents were applications. The Selection Process In February 2009 the long- be submitted no later than Saturday. Subandi, MP did not hesitate to essay. “Of course the essay should be awaited news arrived. Her phone rang It meant that Bintarti had only two recommend Bintarti because his in relation to my work,” she said. and an interview was held. Bintarti days for all the requirements to be assistant was indeed qualified met so she moved quickly. Having academically. He said, “Bintarti is a uniqueness of students from the processes. TOEFL®ITP test was prepared all that she needed, she nerd. She can answer any question. elementary schools to university prepared and she did well. went to Bandung on the next day. She has mastered a lot of science.” campuses. According to her every On that Friday she was in Bandung In her essay she wrote about the Subandi now serves as Dean of went to the battlefield. She followed “I was just interviewed once and individual has his or her own that was followed by the seeking recommendations from the Faculty of Science and uniqueness. Teachers need to announcement – I got it! The time superiors and colleagues. Luck was on Technology, UIN Bandung. He also understand this uniqueness. Some went so fast. Compared to other 75 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY scholarship, it was the simplest and not at all complicated. I was asked to haunted by her unfinished work. Bintarti had doubts about the came true. When the plane landed in undergraduate courses at their own Washington DC, she was picked up by expense. prepare a passport immediately. In reaction of her UPN superiors the contact person of AED, In September 2009 lectures August 2009 I left for the U.S.,” she because she was still new at the (scholarship providers and began. Bintarti admitted to feeling said, happily. campus. But when the good news was contractors), and taken to the battered at the beginning. She only delivered to her boss, her boss was apartment. Everything was prepared got B scores for all subjects. B was shared her stories with colleagues, happy. “She was calling other and her colleagues who picked her up the lowest score but means you pass. both in Bandung and Jakarta. “What I colleagues and screaming. Bintarti were Indonesian and they also Grade C there means you fail. So remember most is the day she was got a scholarship to America ... brought food! there are only A and B. But she called to Jakarta for the interview. “Bintarti imitated her bosses’ reaction Then she told us that she had passed while laughing. She was so happy and she has the selection and would go to the U.S. “The next day someone brought All accepted her good news continues to improve. Her results me a microwave and household were quite satisfactory and she appliances. There is apparently progressed each semester. for studying,” said Subandi as he positively. Dean Assistant (PUDEK) 2 togetherness among Indonesian recalled Bintarti’s face while she was UPN offered her the opportunity to people. There is a tradition that when Bintarti received an electronic mail telling them the good news. “She come back to UPN after returning the students return home after looked great,” he continued. home from America, she’s even completing their study, their goods from UPN Jakarta with an offering from the 2nd Vice Dean. The email striving to be a permanent employee. are collected and handed over to the asked Bintarti to go back to UPN She was not so surprised when This means that she will still get basic new student. In the first days there I after returning from America, with Bintarti qualified for the scholarship. salaries during her study time in was always accompanied to the the basic salary each month and SK “She’s really smart. Her America. But she has to wait for three market to find food and to the (letter of order) permit to study undergraduate from Padjadjaran months to meet the administrative campus, just like a child,” she giggled. abroad. This meant she was University, Post graduate S2 at ITB, procedures of appointment at UPN. Bintarti attended the University of and her TOEFL®ITP was good. I Bintarti wanted to but her ticket to Illinois. The campus is located She would get a basic salary during believed she would be accepted.” the U.S had been booked already and between the two towns of Urbana and her study period. Bintarti realized everything was scheduled and cannot Champaign. Some colleges are in this was a kind of binding. After be postponed. Urbana area and some are in considering and thinking for a Champaign. There are many moment she printed the letter, Another comment came from Tuti. Bintarti also had to say goodbye to her colleagues at the UPN Veteran Jakarta. She had a principle to clear In short, she flew to America to After three months in America regarded as a permanent employee. all her work before leaving for her gain knowledge in another country. Indonesian students in the border signed it and then scanned it and study to America so she will not be She was very happy that her dream college. Most of them take sent it back to Jakarta. “When 76 returning home, I am going back to sees the development of his partner, confidence in herself. “Bintarti was UPN. Even UIN,” she said. “now she looks very good when from pure science. In America she teaching, so brave and so confident. took science education. Mastery of in Bintarti, according to Sumiyati, is Alhamdulillah (Thanks God).” these two sciences is good for the matter of her time management, Bintarti. She looks confident now. She which is now much better. Although wondered why Bintarti got home so even motivates her colleagues to teaching as a well-respected lecturer quickly. He thought Bintarti took write in international journals.” in two places, Bintarti who now In December 2010 Bintarti’s study was complete, but she still can take other courses that she needs. Return to Indonesia After graduation Bintarti returned In fact, Subandi continued, he doctoral programs in the United Tuti, Sumiyati and Subandi found who is in Bintarti’s younger class. Another change that has occurred teaches biology and nutrition, is to Indonesia. She’s not the type of States because she has already got a that after returning from America always on time and she is a master in person who is like a peanut Master degree (S2). “She apparently Bintarti is academically better. Her the material she teaches. Also, now forgetting its skin. Upon arriving in took another S2 there. I guess the methodology and her way of she prefers to use her time to Indonesia she came to UPN Jakarta scholarship is for a master’s degree,” teaching is also very good. She motivate others and does not like and UIN Bandung where she received he said. Previously, he thought always evaluates herself at the end of small talk. many congratulations and warm hugs Bintarti already held a doctorate, as the lecture. “Evaluation is the final from colleagues. according to him, Bintarti’s stage of the process of teaching. her personal career and brings performance after returning from Teaching is not just about delivering benefits to others by sharing different campuses in the city, fulltime America is similar to that of a a lecture then saying goodbye. She is knowledge and experiences from at UPN and once a week teaching in doctorate indeed. more communicative. This seems to across the country, applying Fellow lecturer at UIN, Sumiyati be a method she has brought from intelligence to the nation’s progress more knowledge and experience, which Sa’adah, S.Si., M.Si said, a scholarship the U.S. and is applying here,” said and giving encouragement to other she gained in the United States and opportunity for Bintarti to take Subandi. Tuti also expressed the teachers who have a passion to hunt she was ready to apply it. According to doctorate program (S3) should be same thing. for scholarships abroad. colleagues at UIN, Bintarti has changed widely open. Bintarti, in the eyes of in many ways - most striking is the Sumiyati, is very smart and diligent how Bintarti taught even gave a Education Studies Program, Faculty change in her personality; first she was especially if she takes pure science. positive response. “The microbiology Tarbiyah, UIN Bandung, Tuti divulged shy now she is confident. “But, Teh Ati-so she called Bintarti - course for most students is a stressful a little secret. She said, Bintarti was even took S2 in science education.” subject. But when Teh Ati is teaching, proposed to be a lecturer at UIN she uses teaching aids and all her Bandung - If it runs smoothly she will students can follow,” said Sumiyati become a civil servant. She resumed teaching at two Bandung. She was back with a little “She used to be shy. I knew that because she was my assistant in microbiology,” said Subandi as he Students that were asked about Tuti has also felt changes in Bintarti’s confidence, she is now more 77 All three hope Bintarti succeeds in As Chairwoman of the Biology PRESTASI: A JOURNEY ENDAH TRI KURNIAWATY Master in the field of biodiversity, Indiana University, Bloomington Head of Sub-Division of Protection Plan and Environmental Management Ministry of Environment To be the “Child of a Jock” in the States Endah Tri Kurniawaty, who is Nia had an interest in the study fondly called Nia, had been worried about the environment, particularly about the negative associations of in terms of biodiversity. Moreover, wearing a veil in the United States there is no university in Indonesia, but her concern was not necessary. which has departments of public Several times during her stay she affairs in the field of environment. even visited pubs and bars at the She rushed to meet the invitation of fellow students. Although requirements requested by the she did not drink alcohol during the announcement. Writing essays and parties she had felt what it was like to preparing administrative docu- be amongst ‘jocks’ in America ments was the requirement for the N ia’s eyes - Endah Tri Institute of Agriculture’s Forestry Kurniawaty nickname - stopped Department has a Master’s Degree on a page with an announcement in in Public Policy from the University the morning papers. In the of Indonesia and the field of study announcement she read about the offered in the announcement was chance to receive a scholarship. One ideal for her. Nia was selected to of the programs available in the join the selection process and had announcement was very specific to undergo an interview. “There was and relatively rare: environmental nothing difficult when the interview public affairs. took place because I was being FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI selection. The alumnus of Bogor 78 To be the “Child of a Jock” in U.S. asked about my work at the to pay for yourself. This is unique Bloomington residents chose to apartment. Aha! There’s still a taxi, Ministry of Environment.” However, because it is very different from remain in their house, Nia and her thought Nia. But this is Nia claimed, at the beginning of the Indonesia,” Nia said laughing. two colleagues had to walk outside Bloomington, not New York. There carrying several large suitcases was no cab in such deep snow. without knowing which streets they Finally they both could only look around running out of ideas. interview, she was nervous. “Initially it was quite thrilling, it The Days in Bloomington reminded me of the atmosphere in Nia was very sad just before had to go. “I feel now that it must be the campus hearing,” admitted the departure because she had to leave very funny to look at,” she laughed. girl born in Jakarta in 1974. her two small children. At first she “No shops were open, restaurants approached and there was an old As with other PRESTASI was hoping to bring along the kids were closed, people were in their couple in the car. They offered to scholarship program participants, and her husband during her study in house due to heavy snow and I just take Nia and her roommate to their before leaving Nia had to undergo a the USA and she even had intended realized that the day was a holiday, apartment. “Thank God,” Nia said to period of preparation by following to cancel her departure at one while we walked on the streets herself at that time. some course materials, including stage. Nia thought that as a civil starving,” she said. She said that language skills by increasing the servant the master’s degree would Bloomington at that moment was like campus was still quiet. Students TOEFL®ITP score. But the most Not have much effect on her as she a ghost town. were still on holiday for two weeks, interesting thing to Nia was the had graduated with a master’s material provided by the tutor degree (S2) from the University of finally found a rented apartment for departed from Indonesia had to go named Michael Douglas about the Indonesia. Thankfully, due to the her to stay. It was not far away from to campus to do their registration. habits of Americans. “The material encouragement of her husband, Nia campus and quite comfortable. But The distance from the apartment to was not boring because he talked continued with her intention to she had to shop for her daily needs. the campus was not too far “But about the unique things and habits study in the United States. Together with her roommate she mounds of heavy snow made the trip went shopping to a store - the only seem far away,” she recalls. When took her to Bloomington, a small store that was still open, and quite she arrived on campus, it was very Michael Douglas told her about town famous for the corn production far from the apartment. quiet, there were no people passing Birthday Parties. When you are later on the outskirts of Indianapolis, on campus and there is a friend’s about two hours drive from she did not realize that she had it seems I was wrong to choose this birthday do not expect treats. “So Washington DC. In this quiet town, in selected a lot of groceries, so many campus,” so thought Nia, looking at even though you are invited and January 2010, she arrived and was that she and her roommate had a what was in front of her. encouraged to eat dinner you have greeted by very thick snow. While problem to bring them all to the of Americans.” Nia remembers the example that After making “extra efforts” Nia Her husband’s encouragement She was having so much fun that 79 Fortunately, after a while a car At that time, Indiana University’s but Nia and her friends who by, not like she imagined before. “Ah, Feelings of it being the wrong PRESTASI: A JOURNEY campus soon vanished when the to talk in group discussions,” she lectures began. The academic said. For her to overcome problems many thick books and write lots of the hills across the border of atmosphere immediately built up in by understanding how the teachers papers each term. She often had to go Tennessee and North Carolina. This the first days of classes. The and students talk there was very home from the library at 4 am “I once place is famous for its diversity of campus was not quiet any more and important. The class culture there is fell asleep in class,” she said as she plants and animals, and was students with sweaters were seen very different from the class culture described how dense and exhausting declared a World Heritage Site by walking around the campus. At the in Indonesia.Communication is not the activities on campus were. the United Nations (UN), the United beginning of classes she admitted to in one direction and students are being stunned when the lecturer free to speak. Even when lecturers, college always had time for began to talk. “He talked very fast talk students are allowed to students. “Lecturers are committed and his dialect was very different,” interrupt,” said the person who to not leave the classroom unless air of the hills Nia and her group she said. loves photography. there is a snow storm,” said Nia. “If underwent field lectures and I have any troubles, I can ask, I was completed group tasks. For the first She had to overcome the The custom required Nia to read Fortunately lecturers at the There were no other difficulties camped in the Smoky Mountains, Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Between the trees and the cool difficulty by bringing a tape faced by Nia after that. Lecture helped by the openness of the time in her life Nia did not shower recorder. After the lecture finished materials was provided through lecturers,” she added. for a week. “There was a river but she listened to the recording of the Indiana University’s website so lecture to understand it better. She student can download course did the same thing when discussing materials in anytime. Moreover, the with her group. “At the beginning of campus library was open 24 hours. break in the middle of the crowded go further down and you had to pay the lecture when we were “So there’s no reason for students schedule of lectures and her pile of and it was a bit expensive,” she said, discussing I always talked first then not to understand because they thick books. At this time there were explaining why she chose not to later others chimed in. I was often have many materials to read,” said courses that required students to shower. confused if I had to talk in the Nia whose hobby is traveling. conduct research in the wild. During middle of a discussion,” she said Moreover, continued Nia, a custom the one-week field study the study. She still had time to travel with a chuckle revealing her tips to which requires the college students students had to sleep in a tent - Nia out of the campus. Even though she remain active in class. to actively participate in discussion did not want to miss this course. was wearing a veil/hijab, she took will point out which students have “Learning while taking a refreshing part in a screening event at a semester. “Gradually, I was able to read the course material and which break,” she said. church with the church activists. follow and became confident enough of them have not. She continued recording for one no showers and toilets, and you may No Shower for a Week One time, Nia felt the need for a So with a few college friends she 80 use the river to shower,” said Nia. “If you wanted a shower you have to In America, Nia did not just Together with her college friends she also often go to the basketball competitions. Not only that but with some students from Indonesia she also held a fund raising event to help victims of the earthquake in Yogyakarta. In this activity Nia and her friends auctioned various typical items of Indonesia. “We were auctioning batik, handicrafts from Indonesia and Indonesian food menus,” she said. The show apparently got the attention of the Bloomington City Hall and the City Hall donated $200. “In just two hours the committee managed to raise a thousand dollars to be donated to the earthquake victims in Yogakarta,” she explained. No less fascinating was joining the breaking of the fast during Like to work systematically and fast 81 FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI Ramadan by bringing non-Muslim Americans to join in. During the event students from various countries were invited to show cuisine of their home country. “I was active in the committee for such events. These cross-cultural activities and interfaith is very PRESTASI: A JOURNEY memorable,” she said. government. This process went her work within two months while through smoothly and without any the others completed it in five events held by non-Muslim students problems. Nia’s Master’s degree was months,” said Yanto. According to expressed by Lien Rosalina MM, or American students. In awarded. The time for Nia to return Yanto, Nia can establish a good Head of Eco region Application celebrations at the end of the year, to Indonesia had come. relationship with other ministries Inventory and Protection Plan and related to the Ministry of Environmental Management, Nia’s Environment. superior at the Ministry of Nia was also always present in for example, Nia did not hesitate to “Honestly, I actually experienced go to pubs for the feast. “There was culture shock in Indonesia,” she told no need to take off the veil or to shortly after she arrived in the drink alcohol. They understand and very systematically and fast,” said Titi. The same thing was also With her intellectual and net- Environment. In Lien’s observations, country. The first day Nia admitted working skills, Yanto hopes Nia can Nia is a hard-working figure that can respect my choices,” said Nia. In to feeling dizzy from the congestion be more successful. With her work well in a team. “Nia adapts fact, Nia had assumed that she and noisy horns in Jakarta. “This is capacity, Nia should deserve to get quickly enough to new fields would be excluded from society in contrast to Bloomington which is a higher position or work in an assigned to her,” said Lien. because of her headscarf. “But I so quiet,” she explained. international agency that can realized, the bar and the beer is a Nia actually fitted and is She thought that Nia deserved a assistthe Ministry of Environment scholarship for she is smart and has tradition of the West, I just attended familiarized with the American style such as the World Bank or UNDP. a good learning spirit. After the invitation in honor of a friend to-the-point. But apparently this Yanto saw that Nia who is often returning from the USA she felt that without having to be westernized,” style does not fit in the institution involved in the delegation team to Nia worked fairly and swiftly. Nia’s said Nia. “I am just a kid hanging out where she works. Luckily Nia international negotiations under the ideas in the field of Biodiversity are in America,” she said in laughter. realized this, and began to re-adjust. United Nations related to great and needed. Nia also has good biodiversity, is worthy of being in a network, when the work requires increased,” explained Bambang higher position to articulate her specialists and experts in the field Noeryanto SP, Head of Sub Division brilliant ideas. of the environment and biodiversity “Her scientific capacity has Culture Shock After Return Home After one and a half years of Development and Utilization of In the eyes of Titi Astuti, Staff of Nia could connect with the experts. studying Nia finally passed through Genetic Resources, Ministry of Supervision and Monitoring Genetic a non-thesis. Nia must work in local Environment. Yanto also considered Resources, Ministry of Environment, well in order to finish the agencies, usually on a research that in addition to her increasing Nia is a very smart person, open- preparation of Plans and project of the campus or local relations Nia is also capable of minded, willing to share and transfer Environmental Management government projects. After that the working better and faster. “In the knowledge she has, responsive (RPPLH) to protect the environment work is presented to the local dealing with funds Nia completed and focused on working. “Nia works of Indonesia,” Lien hopes. 82 “Hopefully Nia can lead our team FARIDA DWI HANDAYANI S.SI Master in the field of Microbiology, University of Nevada, Reno Head of Sub Division of Research and Testing Facility Health Research and Development (LITBANGKES), Salatiga Get a Degree and Promotions because her first son, Ilham The eggs have a different taste Wahyudi Rayyan, was aged two there, they smell more fishy and years and six months. However, she make me sick,” said the woman who realized that this opportunity may was born in Cilacap in 1978. only come once. FOTO: PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION After a 2 month period of Like to cook while in U.S. Farida completed her studies in children is also pointed as the Farida would rather cook for herself left her children and husband to go by creating dishes that fit with her to the land of Uncle Sam. “The Javanese tongue. “Looking for the strongest motivation for studying same ingredients here (read: was that I had to struggle to provide Indonesia), is certainly not easy but the best for the kids and my job,” at least I can improvise to make my she said emotionally. own dishes,” she said. “But if I do the United States a semester coordinator of several projects at leaving her children, having arrived earlier. Not only did she get a title the institution. in America, Farida had culture body. Returning from school, she is elected to be the Head of the SubDivision of Research and Testing Facility. The mother of three shock, especially about the food. F not avoid all the foreign foods, preparation for the program, she Not only feeling the guilt of she also succeeded in slimming her Although she sometimes could arida was somewhat depressed She did not like foreign food. “I when she was notified she was don’t like all foreign cuisine. I don’t not have time to cook, I just eat a little,” she added with a laugh. Homesick, Telephone Costs Swell Studying at the University of accepted as a participant of like burgers, hot dogs or French Nevada, Reno, United States, is PRESTASI Scholarship program fries. I could not eat all the food. actually not so difficult for Farida as 83 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY the professor are very open to course of Molecular Biology. and son from the United States. “A to Indonesia and to where she big bill,” she said. Consequently, worked in the Center for Research helping the students with problems. “Professors do not judge from Even outside of the regular learning just one side or only consider the she could not really save any of her and Development of Disease activities the professor provides grade or value, but they also saw allowance. “I called once a day so I Vectors and Reservoir, Research time for anyone who wants to ask students’ efforts to try and reason,” had no chance to travel because my and Development Agency, Ministry or talk to her for an hour or two – said Farida, who received her money was sucked into the cost of of Health Salatiga, she was purely a they use the term ‘open hours’. “I bachelor’s degree (S1) from the phone,” said the devotee of researcher without any title. But always took the time to ask at the Diponegoro University, Semarang, singing and culinary tours. after a short while she was open-class hours,” said the woman in the field of biology. According to who has a nickname of Yeni. her, Indonesian people are actually Farida tried to do exercises. Almost Research and Development, superior in terms of working every day she went to the gym or Research and Testing Facility have a very active discussion group persistence and in the ability to took yoga. There were three gym Salatiga. She now leads a who were so helpful. At break time reason. facilities near campus. Most laboratory. “I want to develop this students in the United States, said laboratory with international Farida also felt very fortunate to this discussion group frequently To overcome her homesickness Despite the ease of undergoing appointed Head of Sub Division held presentation training, the process of learning it was Farida, love sports. Most of them go standards and accreditations,” she explained what it had in mind and difficult for her as she was so and come back from their courses explains. gave feedback to one another. homesick and missed her only child. by walking or riding a bike. “I “Discussions with this group also She was “feeling guilty about started to do exercise and practice her insights have grown. In some made me more confident and feel leaving,” she admitted. Meanwhile, yoga diligently.” As a result her cases she really became a master comfortable dealing with people,” the children and her husband lived in weight dropped from the weight of for example in the case of she admitted. the village of Karang Tengah, District 94 kilograms on her arrival in leptospirosis diagnosis and Tuntang, Semarang, and it was very America to 68 kilograms. “I am Molecular Biology,” explained Drs. it was an atmosphere conducive to difficult to get an Internet getting slimmer by exercising and I Ristiyanto, M.Kes, her co-worker. studying. “There, everyone is connection to talk to them. “The don’t like eating there,” she recalls According to him, with the ability conditioned to appreciate people connection is difficult to connect in happily. she has now, Farida could bring who are willing to learn,” she said. the village,” she explained. Even though Farida had a problem Therefore, she could not contact her with language in the beginning of child and husband through Skype. In campus, Farida really felt like the term, she got an A for the “On her return from America her obsession into reality. “She Building a State in the Laboratory September 2010 Farida returned Instead she called her husband 84 has good vertical and horizontal relations. She often gives ideas and absorbs ideas well. This research program for developing the diseases caused by viruses and laboratory and bringing in experts bacteria or diseases transmitted by from the U.S. and India as referral animals. Sudomo is sure that a speakers. laboratory led by Farida could be FOTO: PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION “A lot of initiatives are proposed the WHO Collaborating Centre. “It by Farida such as requesting means we will be on a par with funding from WHO,” said Prof. Dr. M foreign laboratories and be Sudomo, WHO National Consultant recognized internationally,” said for the H5N1 Bird Flu Virus Sudomo. “I hope Farida can take a Research. “Her proposal is not long, PhD,” says Sudomo hopefully to the but rational and convincing,” added mother of three children. “I’m sure Sudomo. she can, she’s a good worker and In fact, says Sudomo, Farida was her capability is above average and previously less confident. “Now her she has a high level of dedication,” English is better. She made a he said. “That’s why I gave my presentation in English to my boss recommendation to Farida to learn (WHO) so fluently that her proposal in America,” said Sudomo. To make discipline, and she has the ability was accepted,” he explained. this desire into reality Farida had to manage this laboratory very Several training programs and the best strategy. “I want to take well. “Not everyone has a talent comparative study missions to advantage of opportunities, for attitude was accepted well by her like that,” added Ristiyanto. For Thailand were also approved by example, in the form of foreign aid. friends,” said Ristiyanto. In the this reason he considered it was WHO. “Farida can convince us,” said From the aid we can do a lot to eyes of her colleagues, who entered fair that she got a scholarship to Sudomo. “We have even made work improve the quality of human Litbangkes Salatiga in the same study abroad. plans for Farida up to 2014,” he resources and the quality of the lab. continued. There is no need to wait and rely on Making an International Laboratory in Indonesia year, Farida has advantages over Farida’s desire to develop a lab others; she always has systematic that is now being realized and she thinking, she is brave but careful is making a series of breakthroughs series of programs to improve the want to take advantage of these in making decisions and she is such as collaborating with WHO and quality of the laboratory as a opportunities to build the country,” eager to take the opportunity, USAID, for example, propose a reference laboratory for specific Farida concluded. The work plan, said Sudomo, is a 85 this country,” said Farida. “So I PRESTASI: A JOURNEY IRMA SRI WULANDARI Master in Public Health, George Washington University, Washington DC Board of Directors Yayasan Pulih There is No Struggle in Vain Those who fight will get what little hesitant. The hesitation was they want. Presumably this advice normal though because she had not can explain Irma Sri Wulandari. studied in college since 15 years Since she graduated from her ago. Moreover, she was married and undergraduate in 1994, she tried to had three children. get a scholarship to study abroad. “You will be able to. Sure you can,” said her friend, Livia, pumping her spirit. Livia has been Irma’s love for science and love for friend since 1988. They are in the adventure. She was eager to same year in Psychology at the continue her master’s abroad. “In University of Indonesia. Since 1988 addition to science and adding to they have been good friends. my title, I also want to add my Livia Iskandar is one of the knowledge,” said the graduate of founders of Yayasan Pulih, which Psychology, University of Indonesia. was established with Kristi She does not remember how many Poerwandari, Ali Aulia, Saparinah application forms she has posted. Sadli, Irwanto and Karlina Supeli on She was almost in despair in 2008 July 24, 2002. when Livia Iskandar sent her a FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI I rma is a typical of person who has At the beginning of the Pulih scholarship form via email. Her hope Foundation in 2002 Livia served as was arisen even though she was a a general coordinator. She 86 maintained this position until 2006 According to Irma, at that time many standing at a crossroads. I want to when she left for the U.S. people did not know the scholarship do something not only for myself program to America sponsored by but also for others. I prayed in the needed a friend to help her friends USAID. There was not a big holy land giving myself to God at the Yayasan Pulih. To replace her campaign. Irma got the information including expressing my desire to the choice fell on Irma. She said, from Livia through email. continue my study,” Irma shared her Before leaving Indonesia she “Irma’s potential is great. The result Irma immediately took the of our discussion that day showed opportunity to study abroad. At the (mecca) I prayed that if God doesn’t me that Irma was willing to be same time Irma had to manage the allow me for the scholarship to active in Pulih.” pilgrimage departure and represent America, I begged to be given the Yayasan Pulih to Sweden. Irma felt next best. I wanted to continue my if we want to improve our her dreams must be pursued so she education and if it is not abroad I knowledge we should go to NGOs fulfilled all administrative could study in my own country. I such as Pulih, if we work at requirements, including seeking really wanted to return to school companies, there will be no recommendations from Miryam again.” opportunity to improve our Nainggolan, Chairman of the Board knowledge. Moreover, Pulih can of Yayasan Pulih. At that time Livia told Irma that issue a letter of recommendation Without a second thought for people studying abroad. Last December Irma returned from Hajj. Just after two weeks back in the country she got an Miriam immediately gave Irma a interview call from the agency that letter of recommendation she held the scholarships to America. a small NGO but we’ve sent people required. “There’s no reason not to “At that time I was not expecting to learn S2 and S3 (Masters and give recommendations to Irma who too much and I had nothing to lose,” Doctorate) abroad. We also send wishes to continue her education,” she said. people training and workshops said the silver-haired woman. “It’s interesting because Pulih is abroad,” said Livia. The news was immediately conveyed to Livia. “Being called Good News Since 2006 Irma held the General Irma departed on her pilgrimage Coordinator position of Yayasan Totality in helping others spiritual experiences. “There upon for interview means a greater chance to be accepted,” Livia again Pulih. In 2008, after two years in the to perform the fifth pillar of Islam. motivated Irma who’s already in post, Livia kept her promise. “In fact, at that time, I was like despair and worrying. Irma is very 87 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY happy to hear that. The dream is in was my dream to study abroad. On front of her! the other hand it’s hard for me to In early February, the news she was waiting for at last came. Irma long time. In the United States Irma met leave without my family.” Irma then discussed this with her Irma just arrived in America, a snowstorm has hit the state. The Livia. The two friends had missed snowstorm hit again several times each other. Livia took Irma to her later. In American’s history, the was accepted. She had successfully husband. Fortunately, before that, home in Maryland. It was very near storm was the biggest ever. The won a scholarship for a Master Irma and her husband were already the train station. “I like living here,” thickness of the snow reached Program at George Washington planning to go back to school. They Irma expressed. approximately two meters. People University, USA. It is a well-known have been saving for that. Irma then and favorite campus in Uncle Sam. tried to persuade the organization accepts people from Indonesia to came out of their house. that provide the scholarships so stay at her house, “said Livia. “Why Transportation was not available. managed to get a scholarship that the family would be allowed to don’t we try to talk,” Irma said. She The big snowstorm lasted for because she has lots of potentials. take part without the extra cost. had the unyielding spirit. “That’s ok three days in a row and apparently However, the lobby was if you want to,” said Livia. hits only once a hundred years. For According to Livia Iskandar, Irma The same phrase was also “The next-door neighbor never remained at their home. Nobody Irma it was certainly something new. expressed from the mouth of Nirmala unsuccessful. “You go ahead. This is Ika, Irma’s best friend in Yayasan a rare opportunity. Then if there is a person was willing to accept Irma in It was the first time in her life that Pulih. Ika claimed she was not way I’ll meet you there,” her to her house. During her stay Irma she saw snow. Not wanting to lose surprised at the news. She said, Irma husband said as quoted by Irma. even got food. “This seems like an the memory, in the early morning has totality been helping people. She Irma then appealed to the answer to my prayer when on my when the snow was still thick, she Luck was on her side. The does not even hesitate to sacrifice organizers of the scholarship in pilgrimage,” said the woman, born in left the house to capture the her time and money. “So it’s order to postpone her departure to Jakarta, October 31, 1969, smiling. historic event with her camera. It reasonable that she got a 2010. She should have left for scholarship to study in the U.S. to America in 2009. The reason was door to her best friend, Olivia in What Irma did became the talk of explore the study of social services. she had to fix the family first and at Maryland. However, they were in the citizens in Maryland. Once the Moreover, she’s smart,” said Ika. that time her youngest child was different campus. Livia’s college was storm subsides and people have still very small. in Hawaii, Irma in downtown: started to go out they started to Washington DC. talk about it because it felt strange Gain Experiences and Sciences This was indeed good news. Irma Irma’s boarding house was next The time came and in 2010 Irma that there were some people who left the country as well as her was very giddy, “At that time I was husband and children. This was the happy but confused. On one hand it first time that she was alone for a made the people there amazed. Greeted Blizzard In early January 2010, when 88 wanted to get out in the middle of a thick snow. “There were people who left the house while it was it’s absolutely different, an online snowing...” “Yeah, I saw it too,” era. The learning tasks can be done was chatter among neighbors. anywhere with no need to linger in The questions reached Irma and the library. Lecture materials are Livia’s ears, also the owner of the scattered in cyberspace. It could boarding house. “Ooo, that’s the also be studied from the house with lady staying in my house. She versatile library-style facilities comes from Indonesia and goes to online. Accessing the journal is also school here. This is the first time very easy,” said Irma comparing her she saw snow, so she took pictures past with the modern world. of it,” so the owner of the house Irma admitted that at first in where Irma is staying explained to America she would often lose her neighbors as recounted by Irma direction. Left alone, around the and Livia separately. town, she often lost the way to school. Washington University is Online Business Solutions and Ask Uncle Google Developing the foundation is her dream FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI Irma, who usually takes care of 89 located in the city center, a few blocks from the White House. The position of her campus was not on her children and husband, was now the campus zone. So Irma would ask a boarding student. She became a people here and there everyday. For student again after graduating from American people who tend to be her college 15 years ago. Firstly she individualistic what Irma did was thought she would be the oldest weird. Later Livia told Irma that if student in the class, but when she she wanted to go somewhere she did settled into the class there was not need to ask people but could just apparently another older student. simply find its location on the “I went to school in a different Google search engine. Irma tried it era. I used to be in lectures at times and she got new knowledge that is when there was no internet. Now, not learned in college. PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Start Mingling When she first went to the campus, she did not know anyone. During the orientation Irma met a agreed to leave for America. Not just “Indonesian psychologists are Irma’s best friend in the for a visit but her husband would rare in the U.S. Oh well I’m glad to organization, has already resigned. also continue his studies there. do it all. I also wrote in a column of In the current situation, Irma United with her family gave her Muslimah once a week. Muslimah had an idea to help the organization student from Uzbekistan. As fellow energy and her lifestyle shifted. was the mailing list of the Muslim to survive, even develop. “On foreigners, they were immediately Irma began to interact with the women’s organization in America,” campus Irma studied public health close. The student from Uzbekistan Indonesian community and the she said. and social marketing which includes was very warm and friendly. Muslim community there. With the “The first time we met, we embraced each other just like two best friends who haven’t met for a the use of social media in spreading Designing the Future Foundation widespread promiscuity, Irma began to know many things. With all her business in America “I started to know where to find messages to the public. The knowledge she learns on campus directly implemented into Pulih’s long time. She’s good and we halal food, there are many places Irma remained in contact with her became very close in the next actually. Apparently, Americans are colleagues in Yayasan Pulih via days,” she recalls. The first meeting not as I imagined. It is easy to find mailing lists. “Through the mailing Livia prepared a program to be was memorable for Irma. In places of worship. And there is no list ‘kerabat Pulih or Pulih’s relative’ implemented in Indonesia. The result America, as told by Irma, it is not discrimination. Life as a Muslim is Irma often provided important was that the campaign ‘Stop Violence easy to find friends. Most Americans easy there, though you are still a information linked to Pulih Against Women’ was innitiated. The are working people who work or go minority.” activities,” said Miryam Nainggolan. two companions made a proposal to to college and then go home. Livia Iskandar did the same With the background as Yayasan program,” said Livia. From across the country Irma and be submitted to UN Women. “Washington DC is a big city like Pulih Coordinator who is active in an things. Livia and Irma even always Jakarta. The people there are busy. organization, Irma became involved sit together discussing the future of of the campus poured into the There are no students or people in various activities held by the Yayasan Pulih at breakfast before proposal to the UN Women. The hanging out there, unlike here.” Indonesian Muslim community there. doing their daily activities. The contents of the campaign Stop She was asked to be a speaker situation in Pulih was changed at Violence Against Women focus on holiday time was used to see the several times. Once the community that time. Previously, Previously, ways that are more preventive. At family in the homeland. Not only to knew she was a psychologist Irma the NGO previously got assistance the same time she was also see family but to be together with was asked to provide counseling for from international donors, now it preparing her thesis on the subject her husband. The plan was again parents and also to the women doesn’t. The organization now has of violence in dating. The thesis for delayed, finally though her family muslim gathering. financial problems. Nirmala Ika, the master’s degree has the same The first semester passed. The 90 According to Irma all knowledge spirit as the ‘Stop Violence Against Women’ program. It is like the term drinking water while diving. Again, Promoted to be The Board of Yayasan Pulih Having returned from America Board but also participates to professional and more self- help to raise funds as well as financing through a profit unit. finding a program that can be Pulih is going to try to develop a more professional clinic.” Lady Luck was on her side. Her Irma has made much progress. At done. It’s a good sign for Pulih,” courses were completed and the least that is what her friends say. said Ika and Livia who were found proposal accepted by UN Women. Yayasan Pulih where Irma worked in separate places. Ika thought knowledge that she got from The fund was released. was like getting fresh ideas. that upon her return from the America, Ika hopes, Irma can use it Miryam, known as the big boss of United States Irma had become not merely on paper but also in difficulties in managing Yayasan Pulih Pulih, proposed to the foundation broad-minded. implementing it to the public, like in the country, would certainly be officials, in order to appoint Irma happy. “The issue is very important as the Board of Yayasan Pulih. The including Irma’s children who for Pulih. I truly appreciate what proposal was accepted and Irma shared their life-style in the Irma did in America for Yayasan was ready. So, Irma is now the superpower country. “I think the similar expectations. Mrs. Boss is Pulih,” she said in a tone of Board of Yayasan Pulih. Before effect is quite positive for her and actually hoping Irma will be the emotion. leaving for America she was just her family. The life there is very future leader of Yayasan Pulih. the general coordinator of the different from life here,” said the She said, “I cannot continuously foundation. woman who has resigned from the lead the foundation. I hope Irma main management of Yayasan Pulih. can be the future leader.” Miriam, who was having Pulih staffs in Indonesia initially held the program. Upon returning to Indonesia, Irma directly involved Her family has also changed “We entrust Irma to manage With all her experiences and her dream when she went to school abroad. Miryam Nainggolan conveyed herself to make the program a Yayasan Pulih. It’s about time she success. They began a roadshow in participated in strategic matters,” started to invite me to join in the Yayasan Pulih. However she still campaigning for ‘Stop Violence Miryam said. main team of Pulih and she takes time to get together with the started talking about the concept alumni of the USAID scholarship Against Women’ program, which “More recently she also Livia Iskandar and Nirmala Ika Irma is now more active in they took to several high schools appreciated that Irma was willing for developing Yayasan Pulih,” said program. Irma actively and universities. At the same time to take the responsibility. Ika who claimed to frequently participates in ALPHA-I. “It is a they are also using social media Moreover Yayasan Pulih needs to communicate with Irma via BBM. new organization and I hope of such as Facebook, Twitter and be recovered. They expect a lot Since her return from America course that this organization can YouTube to campaign. “The from Irma to make Yayasan Pulih they met only a few times. “The provide something useful for the achievement levels of the program recover. “Irma is not only on the idea that Irma wants to develop,” country,” she said, were very high,” added Miriam. name list of Yayasan Pulih Council said Ika, “is making Pulih more optimistically. 91 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY RENNY ARIYANNY Master in Law, University of Washington, Seattle Head of Design and Legal Considerations, Attorney General’s Legal Bureau From Designing Act up to Anti-Terorism Seminar Renny Ariyanny has received under a contract with USAID, I will several scholarships abroad. But study in America for two years. So I she did not take all the have to leave my post,” she said. In scholarships due to the institution the land of Uncle Sam, Attorney she worked for did not give class 4B is a student of permission. When she received a International Business Law, at the scholarship from PRESTASI USAID, University of Washington to pursue her superior in the Attorney General her master’s degree LLM. Office allowed her to take it and go to America to study. Information about the scholarship program funded by T he woman with shoulder- Legal Cooperation and Foreign length hair was Head of Affairs Attorney General, Jan S Design and Legal Considerations, Maringka. “It’s an opportunity,” she Legal Bureau, Attorney General. thought. Renny decided to try her Since she has to go to study in luck. “Actually, I had to put off to America for a long time she had to fill out the application because at abandon her post. that time there were colleagues “There is a rule in the office that who were interested to apply but if you go for more than a year you at the time limit there was only must leave your position. Now, one person who delivered an FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI USAID she heard from the Head of 92 As a legal drafter at Attorney General of Indonesia application. Well, I just go forward prosecutor whose English is as inconvenience by as much as twice then,” she recalls. good as Mrs. Renny,” said the man the ticket price of travelling from DC with glasses. to Seattle. “Not bad, for additional To be eligible, the graduate of the Department of Criminology, pocket money while abroad,” she Flying to a Foreign Country University of Indonesia visited This was not the first time she several professors to ask for said laughing. Flights from DC to Seattle take 6 recommendations. Luck was on her stepped in the United States. She has hours but there is no free dinner on side and Renny got a been there so often that she has the plane. “Buying a meal on the recommendation from both Prof. forgotten how many times she has plane is paid by using credit cards Adrian and Prof. Ronny Nitibaskara been to the US. “I have been there but my credit card was in my who are professors at the Faculty of several times - usually when sent by suitcase so I was forced to starve,” Law, University of Indonesia. the country to participate in a short recalls Renny. course and other interests,” said Renny easily passed the selection Renny. process. There were no significant She had a unique experience on obstacles, especially for TOEFL®ITP. Arriving at the hotel after midnight it was too late to order food at the hotel. Renny could not hold She’s got a TOEFL®ITP 580 which is the way to study in the United her stomach any longer – it was more than enough to pass. As a result States. She had no problem with the already growling, she moved out to she was awarded the scholarship and air travel from Indonesia to the U.S. find a mini-market. “Once outside the left for America in 2009. The plane landed safely at hotel, there was a person explaining Washington DC. Then travel by plane that someone had been robbed. Section 1, Attorney General of the continued to Seattle, the city where Finally I cancelled trying to find Republic of Indonesia, Dado AE, the campus of the Law School of the food,” Renny recalls the first step on admits that Renny really deserved University of Washington is based. the country of America. Deputy Head of Administration Her seat apparently was occupied a scholarship. “Mrs. Renny does have potential. Moreover, she loves by another passenger. The airline to study and her English skills are gave her another flight and also gave also very good. Rarely is there a her money to compensate for the 93 Knowing Skype On the campus of the Law School of the University of PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Washington, Renny was known as a student who could quickly grasp the Anti-Terrorism Seminar on Her Return from America family in the country for free. According to her, the college After she got her LLM master’s meeting for the next six months Renny was “homeless” in her own lesson. If there was trouble it was system in the United States is quite related to technologies. Renny was good both in terms of curriculum degree, she went back to Indonesia. functional employee without a fairly clueless about technologies and educational infrastructure. Various fantasies crossed her mind. position. She just worked if she was and it made her lag. Moreover, access to information and Renny could not wait to practice the needed. Everyday she came to the knowledge is very open. “Teachers myriad of new knowledge she got office without any mark of position - email and her grade was reduced. In there are also very good. In the from the U.S. Her hopes were not the Prosecutor often called it by the America all courses are completely midst of the hustle and bustle of matched with the reality though and term “jengkol”-, on the chest. online. Reading material was work, the teachers and professors upon returning from America to work presented through the website to be still took the time to correct she was ‘ostracized’ instead. opened via the Internet. “The students work and even to check the Once back in the office, she materials on the site to read were footnotes. They also always take the discovered that the Meeting of the passed leaving me without saying about 200 pages a day and if we time to cater to students who ask Attorney General of the Republic of anything,” she said shaking her head. don’t read the professor will know relevant questions. This is Indonesia had been held a few days “Most of my friends did not know and she would think that we were incredible,” she said. earlier. Just for the record, the that I left the office because I went to meeting is only held once in six America to study.” Once Renny was late sending an not ready to follow the lectures,” she said. As a member of the Attorney office. During that time she became a “I still remember that time when I met a friend and she did not find any ‘jengkol’ on my chest, she just General’s legal team Renny did not months. Various things were Fortunately Renny made some deny that studying in the U.S. has discussed at the meeting including officials in the prosecutor’s office friends who were happy to teach her opened her mind, perspectives and the mutation of the position. were removed their official signs about the world of information of course network. She said, “My technology, including Skype. Once job in the office (Attorney General) Head of Design and Legal employees, usually for involvement familiar with Skype, the woman who was developing legislation. I Considerations, Bureau of Law in a particular case or if they were had been a prosecutor for 10 years understand how the knowledge I Attorney General, which she had considered naughty. However, Renny was beginning to get addicted to gained is very useful for dropped when she was about to fly took a lesson from this sad story. At browsing in cyberspace. She was comparisons in formulating to America? Luck was not on her least she came to know who were able to talk face to face with her legislation.” side. While waiting for the next her true friends and which ones What happened to her position as 94 Keep in mind also that if the top and transferred into functional things were done by Renny, among others, an anti-terror seminar, “In the seminar, Mrs. Renny was capable of presenting with the caliber of an international speaker from overseas. She now got a lot of new networks including those from abroad.” Not just in her office, Renny is also actively gather with the alumni A person who is flexible and decisive in leading her team FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI of USAID scholarship. She even attended an event at Hotel Cemara recently where the alumni came together and formed ALPHA-I. As the organization was recently founded she claimed she has not been active and does not know if she sits Renny started practicing her flexible and firmly in leading,” said knowledge from America, which of alumnus of Airlangga University, am in the board. But I don’t know course had to be adapted to the Surabaya. which one,” she said with a laugh. as a board member or not. “I think I were not and be friend because of situation of Indonesia. According to her position. Dado, after coming back from the Renny - hopes she can transfer her remains enduring and growing. U.S. his superior has changed. knowledge and create the brilliant Because, she said, ALPHA-I is an cadres. “I hope Mrs. Renny can important forum as the In short when the next meeting was held she got back her position Dado - who admires his boss, “In the field of work Mrs. Renny However, she hopes ALPHA-I as Head of Design and Legal is now faster, more informative and regenerate her juniors to be like her. communication place for the Considerations, Attorney General’s open. While personality, there is no At least almost.” intellectuals whose thoughts could be Bureau of Law. change in Mrs. Renny. From the After getting the position back Furthermore Dado recounts, after beginning Mrs. Renny is always she came back from America, a few 95 accommodated for the improvement of Indonesia. PRESTASI: A JOURNEY In her busy work as a lecturer at Cendrawasih University, Papua, Ruth still had plans to develop the Papuan people through early childhood education. “S orry, I still have activities until late this afternoon. How about tomorrow afternoon instead? I am going to contact you,” said Nancy Ruth Naomi Wompere to have to keep an eye on the student’s exam,” she added. It’s not easy to make an appointment with Ruth. Since returning from the United States in May 2011, the activities of the English lecturer at the Faculty of FOTO: CATHARINA LITA/IIEF-PRESTASI someone over the phone. “Today I Her dream is to teach English Language for Papua children for free Teacher Training and Education, NANCY RUTH NAOMI WOMPERE English Studies Program at the Master in the field of English Language Teaching and Development, Concordia University, Portland, Oregon Cendrawasih University (UNCEN) Lecturer in English, Cendrawasih University, Papua Papua, has so many activities. Want to Teach English for Children in Papua for Free It was also acknowledged by Servo Patrick Kocu, Ruth’s superior in the Technical Services Unit Natalis UNCEN, she was appointed many contributions to the UPT. She from America include Ruth’s (UPT) Language in UNCEN, Papua. as secretary of the National really helped several things run growing self-confidence. “Prior to “She took accreditation programs Congress,” said Servo. “I myself was smoothly,” said Servo. the U.S., Ruth had not been too several times. Even at the Dies happy when she came. She gave Other changes after returning 96 confident. But after coming home, I see her changed. For example she is a big leap that she has made. Her more confident and more English was obviously much better example, Rommy thinks Ruth can and a focused person in all of her courageous as a junior lecturer, and than before,” she praised Ruth now teach well and have fresh and jobs. So I suppose she deserves a has a loyalty to her job. Indeed, it’s comparing her to the way she was new ideas, especially in how she scholarship to America,” he said. one of the benefits of studying there before leaving for America when she uses English as a second language (America),” said Margaretha served as Margaretha’s assistant at when presenting the subject matter also sees a lot of improvement in Kafudji, Head of Language Unit, UPT Language Services, University in class. “I see she has changed a Ruth. “In science, I see she is much UNCEN. of Cenderawasih. lot, both in terms of her behavior more developed, and she could help and her way of teaching in the us here and also help other people,” classroom,” said Rommy. he said. However, Ardy does not see In the eyes of Margaretha, Ruth In the academic process, for Rommy Rambet, her colleague diligent figure. “She’s determined Returning from Portland, Ardy is a Papuan child who has had good and a lecturer in English at the achievements since her early Faculty of Teacher Training and education as a student even after Education, English Studies Program who are taught by Ruth are fond of “She was still the same, still friendly becoming a lecturer of UNCEN. “She in UNCEN Papua, also had a the process of learning. “There is a and can work with anyone.” deserves to get a scholarship so we, positive opinion about Ruth after paradigm shift in teaching that as the supervisors, gave her the returning from overseas. She might be a little bit casual, but very help other colleagues who are recommendations to study in the deserved a scholarship. I taught her high quality,” he explained. In having problems in teaching. “If I USA. In terms of academics, she is while she was still a student, since Rommy’s observations the change have difficulty in teaching, I used to very good, prominent, and her early study you can see she has has taken place since Ruth came ask Mrs. Ruth how to cope with disciplined,” she said. According to potential. Ruth is one of the best home from finishing her studies in troubled students,” he admits. Margaretha, Ruth has the potential among the graduates of her the Unites States. “So I see no to develop if given more generation,” said Rommy. change in attitude and activity but opportunities to participate in Rommy also sees that students any changes in Ruth’s personality. Ruth, in the eyes of Ardy, likes to Meets Heart Calls One afternoon Ruth was teaching Rommy thought that what Ruth Ruth was able to bring the feel of training, both as a lecturer, coach, has achieved so far is good enough the change within each class she in the remote district of Wondama and instructor. for a cadre of educators. “I think teaches,” he said. Bay, West Papua Province. Suddenly “At a very young age, Ruth was now we have to see the quality, not Another colleague, Ardy her cell phone rang. Apparently, able to do something good for just affirmative action as a native Paembonan, teacher of English USAID scholarship program called herself and others. Her departure to Papuan, but who really has the language courses and English for an interview. This interview is the United States has accelerated quality. I saw Ruth was qualified in Administrative staff at UPT UNCEN, part of the selection process, which and fostered her confidence. This is the science field,” he said. thinks Ruth as hardworking and must be completed by eligible 97 PRESTASI: A JOURNEY recipients. “Fortunately, there is a woman who was born in Jayapura on problem for me. Especially when the phone connection there. In addition the 23 April 1982, got a lot of input winter comes, it was the hardest to the interview they also told me from other faculty colleagues, time for me. But after a while I got that I should take the TOEFL®ITP in especially those who had been to used to it,” she said. Jakarta. Then my application would America. “There are so many be submitted and I would be told stories that I got from my fellow trouble with the academic processes whether I was accepted or not,” said teachers,” she said. However, while there. “They have a very helpful Ruth. there, Ruth admitted she had many professor and advisor for challenges in adjusting to social life international students because they basketball, knew the PRESTASI mainly because of the differences know that we are not from their program or formerly known as HICD between Indonesia and the United country,” she explained. (Human and Institutional Capacity States. “There, I saw that American Development) from information life is free, but very responsible. So Uncle Sam, Ruth saw a lot of flyers and the application forms she whatever they do, we may see a impressive things. “Transport is has received. After filling out the negative but behind it all there are easily obtainable,” she said. form and sending it, Ruth got positive things that can be learned However, the most memorable thing notified by email stating that her too,” she said. for her was meeting with people of Initially Ruth, who likes playing application was received. The next Fortunately, she did not get any During her study in the land of Although Ruth has learned different cultural backgrounds. “Not process was to go through an English for many years, it did not only Americans, there are a lot of interview. If in the interview process mean that she did not have students from other countries such she passed, she could receive the difficulties in implementing direct as Taiwan, Japan and China - such scholarship. conversation. “At first I was mixed and different cultures. But confused as to what they were when in the academic atmosphere process, the heart of the R & B talking about, but eventually I got we are all the same. We’re after the music enthusiasts was lifted. “I’m used to it and understood, too,” she same thing be successful in learning new knowledge about her field, of happy to receive this scholarship. relates. in the United States,” said Ruth. what she learned, to life When she passed the interview Moreover, this is the first time I went so far out of Papua,” she admitted. Before leaving for America, the Another problem was the According to Ruth she has experience. “I gained more weather, “Initially it was difficult to gained a lot of things from knowledge and when I returned to adjust to the weather and it was a learning in America, starting from Papua I could apply it and share it 98 offers to teach. But she is going to The hardworking and diligent person teach English for free for Papuan and methods. I could share These children. “But this plan has not been new things with my students in started, maybe next academic year,” UNCEN,” said the Jazz and slow she said. rock lover. One of the lessons outside of the Papua children for free came from academics she learned was a matter an institution established by a of timing. According to Ruth, the church group. “This was the idea of American people is always on time. the young people in the institution,” “That’s what I brought back here and she explained. The first step of free tried to apply in the classroom. I education will involve children of want to show the students that kindergarten ages.” We will establish being on-time is not easy but if you schools located in Waena-Expo get used to it you will be familiarize- Jayapura,” she added. d. Because here (Indonesia) we tend FOTO: CATHARINA LITA/IIEF-PRESTASI The idea of teaching English to Teaching is her calling so Ruth not to appreciate the time,” she claimed she must arrange her time, explained. both as a lecturer in UNCEN, as well Actually, Ruth said, there are still as a volunteer teacher at the school many things that she has not been to be established. “I teach children in able to put into practice in her work Papua to help them to get a good as an English lecturer in UNCEN. education and help the institution,” “There are some techniques that I she said. want to develop, for example, using Ruth hopes that with all her ones she got when she was an Internet technology in teaching and knowledge and experience, she can undergraduate (bachelor) student. learning. This has not been tested,” be a good teacher. “I really hope I Concordia University, she was “But the teaching was more in-depth she said. can do good teaching and be actually taught methods and and comprehensive. I learned many teaching techniques similar to the new things about new techniques with my students,” she said. Ruth said, while studying at Having completed her study in America Ruth actually had many 99 responsible,” she said, closing the story. PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Studying in America made the man from Sleman realize the joy of teaching without the need to rush the learning process. On the day of the math test in grade 10 senior high school (SMA) Kanisius, Jakarta, Thomas Gunawan Wibowo, the teacher, did not deliberately stand in front of the class. The man called Pak Gun by the students is actually quietly standing behind the class. Nearly for 45 minutes he stayed there until the time Teacher who is loved by his students FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI for completing the test was over. Pak Gun positioned himself behind the class in order to help a student with the initial J in the class.. He has been known as a “veteran student” because he failed to get a good grade a year earlier. His academic scores make us sad. The score of forty is THOMAS GUNAWAN WIBOWO usually written on his paper test. This Master in the Field of Educational Leadership, Loyola University, Chicago student claimed that the teacher who Deputy Chief of Canisius High School, Jakarta oversaw the class broke his Fun Learning without Accused of Being Stupid concentration and made him nervous. 100 But Pak Gun chose to believe that the student’s problem doesn’t mean at Loyola University, Chicago. But English training for 6 months prior to did not immediately blame my lack of that there is no hope. Surprisingly Pak Gun’s English proficiency made departure. Arriving in the land of grammar. He just said, please can you the student who was considered him insecured. Stored in his memory: Uncle Sam in July 2007, the math explain it to me again,” said Pak Gun. stupid reached a score of 78 for the I cannot speak English. It’s difficult. teacher’s English was improved math quiz that day. 78 is slightly “Frankly speaking, I have no through additional courses for three listen to his English speech truly above the minimum standards score expectations when it comes to the consecutive semesters at Loyola made Pak Gun thrilled. His of 75 in Kanisius High School. Pak selection of participants,” said Pak University, Chicago. nervousness and being afraid of Gun was happy and the student was Gun. relieved. “The students’ problem was “But there I was actually The patience of the professor to making mistakes, when speaking At that time Pak Gun’s English surprised, I enjoyed learning English. English, was slowly changing because so simple but it could only be score, according to the TOEFL®iBT, a Since junior high school to college I of the comfortable atmosphere, like discovered by a teacher who would test of English proficiency to study never experienced so much fun in talking to friends. If there was no listen,” said the teacher who has 15 abroad, was under 75, while minimum learning English,” said Pak Gun. improvement in Pak Gun’s learning, years of teaching experience. “So, do standards required at least 100. But not rush to judge him stupid,” Frater Heru Hendarto, Pak Gun’s Pamungkas, a Junior High School discussion about which teaching concluded Pak Gun superior, who was one of PRESTASI (SMP) Kanisius’ English Teacher and a method was wrong. The professor did scholarship selectors from Kanisius PRESTASI recipient, also apparently not just scold Pak Gun. College, voted differently. The Frater agreed that the course was excellent. encouraged him to hone his language They were both amazed at the ability spirit of learning. He willingly went to skills until the time of departure. of the lecturer in creating a various parts of Chicago to write comfortable learning environment variety of articles about places to Supplied with Personal Experiences The beauty of learning without immediately being accused of being His colleague, Makarius Giri “Pak Gun’s English hobbled him the professor dared to invite Pak Gun then really got into the stupid is important to Pak Gun. He but he was still elected because he without them feeling judged. read in the class. The man who used spent 15 months studying in the wanted to learn. People, who do not Sentences of motivation are always to be so nervous about speaking United States through the PRESTASI want to learn, cannot make it. His abundance. Although this Javanese English was now enjoying learning. Scholarship, which was previously passion for learning was one of the son’s English is frequently wrong. Each semester, Pak Gun didn’t want known as HICD (Human and criteria that we want,” said Frater Institutional Capacity Development) Heru. for the Master of Science Education “If I spoke in class and the Pak Gun has started following the 101 to miss the opportunity to instructor did not understand participate in language courses, because my English was strange he which were not required and do not PRESTASI: A JOURNEY knowledge he gained in the Unites contribute towards his master’s teachers often force the students to degree. learn in a way that the teachers because Pak Gun listens to their States into three programs at once: learnt themselves. A teacher complaints. His students are open, as teacher training programs, student never felt that way in learning things previously will absorb knowledge Pak Gun will not rush to impose tutorials, and the PRESTASI in Indonesia? that will be taught according to the disciplinary penalties to them. Scholarships alumni association Pak Gun then muses. Why did he “I think our culture sometimes The students are close to him characteristics of his/her personal Pak Gun listens to all problems: ALPHA-I. Coming home from Chicago in makes others have difficulty in understanding. But while teaching, academic, personal and even just the understanding. As a result we rarely the teacher often forgets to outpouring of troubled hearts. The late 2008, Pak Gun became directly put ourselves out as a motivator. We understand that every student has a Kanisius High School students call involved in some development easily judge others as stupid and do different personality. He/she then Pak Gun as a teacher who you can programs for teachers and school not do anything,” said the man who tries to force a way of learning that talk about anything – including issues curricula. Jesuit School Association, graduated in mathematics education, suits him/her on all students. related to adolescent mental the institution where he works, instability. seems to have designed the Sanata Dharma. Pak Gun found that hasty and “Teachers can not force others to learn the same way they have learnt, “Now I feel that I am so much program, even before Pak Gun left judgmental attitudes will make just because he/she can doesn’t loved by the students,” said the 41- teachers not appreciate the mean everyone can. We often forget year-old Pak Gun with a smile. student’s strength. They only see the that every person has different char- weakness. The teaching-learning acteristics of learning and percep- is also a major trait of Pak Gun, who be our partners, to discuss how to atmosphere that should be full of tions,” said Pak Gun is now active in developing the plan for the development of teachers curriculum of Kanisius High School. in particular,” said Frater Heru Hendarto, Pak Gun’s superior. motivation turns out to make Perhaps the attitude of listening Having returned to Indonesia, students feel “lost before war”. “I Pak Gun’s methods of teaching have Because every child is unique the learned a lot of theories there; every inevitably changed. His position as a learning curriculum must also be student is unique. In Indonesia we mathematics teacher as well as the able to reflect that. need to focus more on this one who has responsibility to uniqueness,” he said. discipline student, makes the big and Teachers in Indonesia, according to Pak Gun’s observations is that for the United States. “We want friends who have also returned from the United States to From the beginning, the Jesuit School Association that oversees high school de Britto, Gonzaga, Sharing Science in School Leadership Course (PSC) tall man feared by the students, but Pak Gun is now applying the he’s now closer to his students. 102 Canisius and Loyola in Indonesia does have plans to set up a program for teachers. “The program named School Leadership Course of KKS Until now, Pak Gun holds program (Kursus Kepemimpinan Sekolah) courses for the teachers every Friday aims to train managerial and and Saturday. supervisory skills for teachers in “To become a school principal there are a lot of things to be able to prepare school teaching pro- controlled from the way of grams according to the character of their respective institutions. General candidates to be targeted are principal, vice principal Person who can talk about anything or those who are already holding the rein of the institution. Of course, in order for them to apply they must “I saw from the beginning he FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI Indonesia. It aims so that they are supervision to colleagues, school management to formulating a syllabus, teaching plans that are appropriate to the students’ character. So it needs training,” said Frater Heru, the Principal of Canisius High School. teacher. When you get closer he is Catholic clergy who previously served transmit the knowledge they gained seems to have strong leadership. He different. Henrikus feels comfortable as Head of Gonzaga High School is one later. can distinguish very well how to talking about anything with him. of the senior educator who pioneered communicate with children, They have been friends for over ten KKS program. School Association worked with colleagues and with superiors,” said years. Therefore Henrikus who also Sanata Dharma University, Henrikus Suparjono, 39, Canisius studied the new knowledge from Pak its third generation. The yearlong Yogyakarta and USAID. They sent 12 High School Chemistry Teacher, Gun also agreed his friend is program was deliberately aimed at teachers to the USA to study about the figure of Thomas appropriate to coach teachers in the educating potential teachers in together at Loyola University. Gunawan or Pak Gun. program of KKS. leadership to become principals in To realize the program, Jesuit From October 2009 the program In 2012 the KKS program entered Selection of the candidates from 80 On the basis of the potential, teachers was done internally to elect Henrikus was not surprised when his started and Pak Gun became a program is arranged according to the eight (8) school teachers, two (2) colleague was elected to study in trainer of teachers. The goal is that timeframe of the school year.There priests and two (2) lecturers of America. “Even if we just met, Pak educators can draw up their teaching have been many teachers from Sanata Dharma. One of the scholar- Gun impressed himself jaim,” said curriculum plan well. So it’s not just a Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Lampung ship awardees is Pak Gun. Kanisius High School’s senior copy of the government curriculum. who have taken the program. 103 their respective places. KKS’ PRESTASI: A JOURNEY Pioneering Student Tutorial Program Sharing knowledge was not only Kanisius High School. “I’ve guided me, including criticizing me if comfortable as possible. In one intentionally asked Frater Heru to I was wrong,” Modestus said, corner of the room even has a short put me in teaching the most basic grinning. table with padded seat cushions. A done two days a week. Out of the class, because I want to guide new KKS program, at Canisius High teachers to teach directly in the senior colleague, Henrikus, who was students are bored or nervous in School, he also pioneered the classroom,” said Gunawan. sitting next to him busy unpacking a waiting. Everything was so pair of Rubik games. Henrikus was comfortable that the students would talk openly. tutorial students program. Every Modestus secretly glance at his New teachers were assigned to list of books can also be read if the five students who rank lowest in Gunawan as co-workers. Pak Gun trying to solve the puzzles but he their class will be gathered to learn becomes a tutor of ‘toddler teacher’ finally gave up on the three together every Thursday after or teachers who have not been dimensional wooden beams. school. Sometimes they are teaching for more than five years – The simple blocks are not accompanied by Gunawan but one of them was Modestus Adityo, actually just a toy. It was also part School Student’s Organization (OSIS) sometimes accompanied by higher- 24, Counselling teacher. of the teaching strategy applied room,” said Modestus laughing. class students whose academic records are excellent. Modestus explained that there. “We deliberately provide 5 “Students are so very fond of toys like this. Last time I saw there were some brought to the Intra And Pak Gun still does not stop Gunawan often invited him to have Rubik’s games in counseling sharing his knowledge. In March discussion and provided guidance sessions so that students feel 2012 together with his colleagues, it much easier to absorb lessons if about how to communicate with relaxed here,” Modestus said, fellow alumni of PRESTASI graduate their friend of the same age explains their students. He remembered that pointing to the blocks that are scholarships, they founded an it in the language they understand,” there was a trouble student who making a mess on the table. alumni association called ALPHA-I. said Pak Gun, who was promoted to was especially “entrusted” to him by vice principal after getting a Pak Gun. They repeatedly discussed there because each tutorial is as a coordinator in the education master’s degree. the student’s problems until the preceded at least two counseling division. “The association was student felt comfortableexpressing sessions with student. Based on the recently founded so I have not had the tutorial program is also a tool his personal life. Then they designed spirit that every student is unique, time to do much, but I certainly for Pak Gun to train his juniors. Pak the most appropriate tutorial for the the students’ complaints need to be intend to develop similar programs Gun even deliberately asked to student. explored and heard, and the room in ALPHA-I,” said Pak Gun. “I know sometimes the kids find Like drinking water while diving, remain teaching Grade 10 in The Rubik is deliberately placed During that time, Pak Gun for the counselling was arranged as 104 In the organization, Pak Gun’s role is Just wait and see. ZAENAL ARIFIN The fastest and best graduate Master in International Political Economy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Regional Infrastructure from GSPIA, University of Project Manager for Social Economics, BAPPENAS Pittsburgh in 2011 with a major in Between BAPPENAS, KORPRI and ALPHA-I International Political Economy, wants to make his life meaningful for others. He shivered when he first set foot in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 1, 2010, where the city’s weather was minus 21 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, the heater in his apartment was not functioning. He rushed to a nearby convenience store to buy an electric blanket. “I got to learn about blankets,” said Ary – nickname for Zaenal Arifin, while laughing. The extreme changes in temperature shocked him most FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI when he came to the land of Uncle man who has the motto of low profile, high performance 105 Sam. “Weather shock, which actually makes me excited,” said Ary. Moreover, at that time he lived at a distance of up to 16 miles, or more than 20 kilometers from campus. According to him, going home from the campus he had to PRESTASI: A JOURNEY take a bus then walk about 45 Not to be tormented by Western an international network that he has confused and amazed by the minutes to an hour. “The problem is food he was a customer of the formed over the past two years brilliance of his cognitive skills as that when it’s after 9 pm, there was Moroccan restaurant close to living abroad. “I really feel lucky, well as the psychometric balance of no bus and sometimes I was in campus. “Almost every day I ate honored and proud to go to college the 30-year-old single man. The A campus until 10 pm.” there,” said the man who is a fan of there. Many great people of mark achieved for all courses is an cooking and photography. Slowly but Indonesia are alumni from there, indicator of the ability of the man Pittsburgh, Ary stayed in an surely he came to enjoy the taste of they also (read: organizer and from Kudus, Central Java. apartment with an Indonesian food ‘roughing’ in a month. lecturer at GSPIA) respect During the first two weeks in fellow. But as it was too far from A variety of new things were Although he is very prominent in Indonesian students,” Ary expressed the academic areas Ary is not the campus, at the end he decided to experienced by Ary at the pride and gratitude when he met kind of student who does less move into an undergraduate university at the Graduate School of with the team of USAID Indonesia on socially. In college he was selected student’s apartment.But, because Public and International Affairs his return from studying in America. for training in a Leadership Portfolio the heating was off and the (GSPIA), University of Pittsburgh. apartment was very crowded, he “Starting from the weather shock, only lasted for a month. Only on his culture shock to the food shock.” third attempt could he get an Fortunately, the University of apartment near campus with a quiet Pittsburgh is one of the top class and best graduates from GSPIA, environment and adequate facilities. universities in the United States. He University of Pittsburgh in 2011 with with students from foreign countries “I had to study so much and I had to didn’t know it before but it’s where a major in International Political such as China, Ghana, Colombia, be more focused.” He was finally the campus of several former high- Economy and a minor for Public and Russia, Korea, Japan and many starting to adapt to the local ranked officials in Indonesia, such as Non Profit Management. This is other countries. “We often discuss temperature. former Finance Minister JB really not an easy thing because our countries so I understand the Sumarlin, Trade Minister Satrio there is a balance of academics and culture and the thinking processes tongue to the smell and taste of the Budihardjo Joedono, Head of BKN non-academics as indicators of and how they work. We even set up a local food called “roughing”. Sofian Effendi, and Chief of LAN achievement. Ary must not only be new organization that embodies Typically, Indonesian food is full of Mustopadidjaja AR. With so many excellent in college but must have international students, which we call flavor, but he must familiarize alumni of GSPIA in Indonesia, Ary involvement and be active in campus the International Student Initiative himself with the western food that would be able to expand his extra-curricular activities. (ISI),” told the 2000 alumni of ITB was bland. network in Indonesia, in addition to Ary also had to accustom his Program, hosted by the Johnson Academic and Non-Academic Balance Ary become one of the fastest The professors at Pittsburg were 106 Institute for Responsible Leadership, as the only non-American participant who participated in the program. He also actively made friends about his activities during lectures. Especially when studying in a education in Coro because this is a months from September to achieved as all participants had city known for its network of non- prestigious institution which is December 2010. “I learned how to go prepared, learnt and knew what governmental community, Ary also established in 1942. The training directly to the people and how to would be presented and decided in had become acquainted with the center has produced no less than build support to be elected as the meeting. Everyone is doing people and got involved in various 10,000 alumni who are currently governor. Yes, I knocked on doors – something, talking very efficient, to institutions in the city. “Pittsburgh leaders in the local, regional, door to door and persuaded people the point and straight forward on the was once a city-based steel industry, national and global governments and to support me.” Ary also increased subject and purpose of the meeting,” but since the 90s has been in businesses, nonprofit his social network with people in the he said admiringly. Even employees transformed into a city-based organizations, and government United States federal government can work without the need to come education and philanthropy and public officials. Names like Michael agencies as an apprentice at the U.S. to the office but they must be finally now a famous city with its Davis (Vice President of JP Morgan), Department of Housing and Urban connected via telephone / fax and NGO (Non Government Director of Consumer Products New Development (HUD) for three Internet. “Over there are working Organization). There are about 400 Microsoft Corporation Michael Kim, months adding to his list of systems called telework or NGOs there,” said Ary amazed. Chairman and CEO of Metropolitan achievements. “I learned about the telecommuting.” With this system Theatres Corporation Bruce Corwin, American system and bureaucratic employees can choose a day when several NGOs, one of the important the State Treasurer of California management, including how to he/she does telework. “If activities that Ary took part in was Hon. Phil Angelidus, Associate coordinate, human condition and the implemented in Jakarta the system leadership training organized by California Supreme Court Justice effectiveness of its services to the may be able to reduce the traffic Coro Centre of Civic Leadership. Hon. Marvin Baxter, and Virginia public. Then I compared it with congestion that cannot be “This institute is a training center for Governor Hon. Tim Kaine is the most Indonesia. I believe that the compromised during weekdays,” said future leaders in the United States. famously named Coro alumnus. bureaucracy in Indonesia can take an Ary. Besides apprenticeships in Some governors and mayors have In Coro Ary learned about how to example from this and apply it for Another interesting point was to been trained in Coro,” he said. After become a candidate for being following a rigorous selection, Ary elected as governor, from the was elected and was again the only selection of prospective candidates, admiration is the efficiency and that may be filled by non-civil non-American participant in the to forming a campaign team, effectiveness of the meeting held at servants. Vice versa, public servants prestigious training. strategizing and sponsor driven his internship. “Two hours meeting is are also allowed to move to a private fundraising campaigns to the public too long, since the meeting usually company and once he has finished debate. He took the training for four only takes about one hour. It was his duty, he can return to his This young Indonesian should be proud to be able to experience an the future,” said Ary excited. One simple example that inspires 107 provide a certain number of positions in government agencies PRESTASI: A JOURNEY previous status. “Personal usually there are no students from experiences because during the he has experiences on Western management is flexible enough there outside the United States selected program in Kobe he had the culture represented from the United but of course all are with clear for the joint program,” recalls the opportunity to visit and carry out States and Asian culture selection and procedure,” said Ary. BAPPENAS employee. He was activities in several other countries in represented from Japan. These are running at full speed and his lectures, Southeast Asia. For example, when two cultures from two of the most scheduled to be finished in 24 he was in Laos, Ary taught at the advanced cultures in the world. It months, were completed eight National University of Laos (NUOL), requires equally high discipline in months ahead of time. the first university in Laos. “I was each country albeit with a different lucky to get internships in JICA and style. In the U.S., given the bulkhead From West to East The spirit of competition does exist in his blood. Not satisfied with the variety of activities and Once elected, the next challenge additional training inside and outside is USAID permission. “Of course I KIC while in Japan, which then sent workbench, “they respect privacy,” the campus, Ary decided to have to ask because I am funded by me to take an internship in Laos- he said. However, there is still fun participate in a cooperative program the Government of the United Japan Human resource Development even during working hours. “People between the University of Pittsburgh States, whether I was allowed to Institute and NUOL,” said Ary. still greet each other and laugh and the University of Kobe, Japan. study outside of the United The selection process is very strict States?” he said. After a series of opportunity to study abroad in two because there is only one slot for the correspondences, USAID finally rare giant Japanese organizations each workbench. Even so, during best candidate who will be chosen by allowed Ary to participate in the that have a very big influence in the working hours there is no sound at a selection team to represent the program and they even financed international world: Japan all, silence. “At break time, you can University of Pittsburgh in Kobe, the tuition fee at the Graduate International Cooperation Agency then hear sounds of laughter and Japan. The announcement of who School of International Cooperation (JICA), is a Japanese government chatters,” he recalls. The funny thing was to be selected finally came at Studies (GSICS), University of Kobe agency that focuses on the is although Japanese people are not the end of 2010. Based on the with a major in Economics and development of cooperative as expressive as American, but they criteria of academic and non- Asian Development Affairs. Ary is relationships with other countries, both appreciate differences. academic achievements and after the only USAID scholarship while the Kobe International Studying and working in two having being filtered through several recipient who goes to study in two Cooperation (KIC), is a government different poles of cultures actually phases, the Selection Committee countries and take one course institution that focuses on the provided enrichment for Ary, not just chose Ary as Pittsburg’s ambassador semester and an internship at development of Kobe city into an simply a matter of competence but to be sent to Japan. “I was very several institutions in Japan. international city in Japan. also about understanding people. surprised and grateful because He is grateful for the Ary really gained a lot of Ary feels deeply blessed because 108 before lunch time,” he recalls again. In Japan there are no secrets in Wealth of experience, networks and knowledge gained over the past Ary when he started being involved learn in the USA. “We founded the Rinella is the Head of Sub two years outside of the country, in the planning meetings to establish ALPHA-I as a place to explore and Directorate of Land and Ary’s according to Ary, makes him more ALPHA-I (Asosiasi Alumni actualize the ideas of its members supervisor since July 2006 up to ready yet cautious when returning to PRESTASI-HICD Amerika Indonesia). outside of their daily work,” Ary before he left for the United States Indonesia. Moreover, in BAPPENAS Actually, it was not too long after he said. Therefore, in the future, Ary at the end of 2009. “He was (Badan Perencanaan dan returned from America, when has a mission to make the ALPHA-I outstanding, even before leaving for Pembangunan Nasional/National Akhmad Safik, a PRESTASI fellow as an alumni organization for America,” said Rinella. Things that Development Planning Agency), the alumnus colleagues invited him to American qualified graduates, make Rinella admire about Ary is institution where he works, most participate in the formation of an beneficial to its members and “Ary did not seem to have gone employees have a master’s degree alumni association meeting which capable of contributing to Indonesia. abroad. He still called his friends in and even some who holds a was then drafted by IIEF with a “I am very eager to raise ALPHA-I,” Indonesia and went home with a doctorate. “I think and work for the number of alumni HICD-PRESTASI. said Ary who dreams that one day souvenir,” she said happily. “He has they will become a local organization is modest and respect others which best to contribute to the Through the newly formed development of the nation,” said the alumni organization and with the aim to be reckoned with in the national makes Ary be liked by colleagues man whose motto is low profile, high to accommodate the alumni and international arena. and superiors,” said Rinella. performance. scholarship program USAID to According to Ary, through the In fact, according to Rinella, Ary Musrembang and KORPRI BAPPENAS conduct social activities, Ary wanted often invite his colleagues to be extreme differences between the to make life more meaningful. “It East cultural of Japanese and West feels good to be doing something cultural of American, he hopes to good for other people,” said Ary who Rinella Tambunan MPA mimicked caretaker of KORPRI, even though I combine and apply them when was elected as Secretary General of Ary. At that time they arrived at a am reluctant,” she said. In KORPRI – returning to BAPPENAS. the ALPHA-I accompanying Akhmad place for a business trip. Along the this is official organization of Safik as chairman in an exciting way Ary called his mother several Indonesian Civil Servants - voting in the National Alumni times telling her the circumstances BAPPENAS, Rinella added, “Ary is a Meeting, which was held in March and the place they were at that time. vice chairman, a new position that 2012. According to Rinella this is one proof he has occupied since July 2012. It that Ary is obedient to his parents. is a very strategic position for a junior civil servant like him.” The Secretary General of the ALPHA-I His experience in Pittsburgh, known as the ‘city of NGOs’ and “yes mom, yes mom,” said Ir. For Ary, ALPHA-I is a field of Kobe, which is known as an contemplation for those who are for- “He seems to love and obey his “international city” is a resource for tunate to have the opportunity to mother,” said Rinella. 109 active in organization. “He does not get tired in inviting me to be the His organizational experience and PRESTASI: A JOURNEY ability in management is further evidenced to his appointed as a He’s a representative of the Head of BAPPENAS in Musrenbangnas Committing Officer (CO) as well as a project manager by the Minister of organizers and security to junior and National Development Planning of the senior employees. “But he’s not Head of BAPPENAS for a prestigious arrogant, he remains humble, that’s project called Socio-Economic what makes people likes him,” Development Infrastructure (PISEW) Rinella added again. In fact, with a during the year 2008-2009. This tight schedule and very high project is one of the major project of pressure for four months Ary must the National Development Program coordinate the forty activities at (PNPM), announced by the President national and provincial levels in April 2007 and covers more than throughout Indonesia. “In that 2200 villages in 9 provinces and 34 position he is a representative of the districts in Indonesia. He does not Minister of National Development stop there, after finishing his study in Planning,” said Rinella. The Director of Spatial Planning the office at the beginning of 2012, and Land, Ir. Deddy Koespramoedyo, Ary also is the coordinator of National MSc., fully understands the capacity Development Planning Consultation of this man, hence he did not Committee (Musrenbangnas), a series hesitate to give full trust to the of events involving the President, alumni of the university of Pittsburgh Vice President, all ministers and as the coordinator of the committee heads of government agencies at the Musrembangnas. “I trust him,” said central level. Deddy in short. Deddy has observed “He’s not awkward and FOTO: BODI CHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI the United States and returning to Ary’s gait when he was in PNPM overacting, as usual,” she said. Even PISEW. “Ary won the title and the though he becomes the leader for award for best Officer and the project about 400 people from the event manager from Minister of National 110 Development Planning,” he said. one from BAPPENAS has gone to his master’s in America has more translate them into meaningful Despite having to deal with the America,” he said. Ary was the first difficult challenges than taking scoring to tell me more and become seniors in the project, according to employee in the unit who left to go masters in other countries. “So far I a tool to identify problems. “He can Deddy, Ary can handle it well. “He to study in the U.S. after several think it is fair,” he added. make quantitative be qualitative and used to consult me, so I know his years of no alumnus from Uncle problems,” he said. Deddy thinks Ary Sam. is always honest with his situation. High hopes have been pinned on Therefore, he considered this vice versa,” said Uke. He gave an Ary’s shoulders by his colleagues example, “in a tourist area the and superior. One of his colleague numbers would be good if the value “He does not hide the problem. If clam man’s desire to learn to a who becomes his superior since of land is high. It was in the he’s hiding anything I will know right doctoral level. Deddy is convinced February, 2012, Uke Mohammad statistics. But, in fact, that is not away,” he said. that through the scientific and Hussein, S.Si., MPP. “Now he’s my necessarily the case. Because, it technical capacity of the learning sparring partner,” said Deputy must be seen how local cultures member was not separated from his acquired outside the country Director of Land, BAPPENAS. Uke is interpret land there.” monitoring of Ary’s track record, coupled with the experience and much more senior but feels that Ary even before he joined the management skills possessed, Ary can be paired with him as an equal hopes Ary will be a person who BAPPENAS. The ITB alumni was the could be a hope for many people to partners. “He always has new input,” continues to develop himself. “His highest score test taker for the civil build Indonesia. “I want him to said Uke, smiling. mind is brilliant, so with the capacity servant throughout Indonesia in proceed to the PhD program,” he 2005. With the capacity he has, said. According to Deddy, the calm and professional demeanor he will be able to occupy positions in since joining BAPPENAS in 2006 doctoral program will further owned by Ary, Uke thought, will BAPPENAS or perhaps in until now, Ary has held several key simplify Ary’s career steps in provide a positive impact on the Indonesia,” said Uke. positions at a relatively young age. BAPPENAS. Supported by his quiet development of the Ministry of Ary is a hard worker with a lot of nature, Deddy is confident Ary will National Development about those expectations. He said achievements. On many occasions be successful. “A career path for him Planning/BAPPENAS which became that if what he has done is appraised Ary has expressed his brilliant ideas. is in front of him,” he said. Indonesia’s think tank. “He could well by others, he was grateful and describe the conceptual levels to be will always want to do better. operational,” he said. However, his achievement is the gift Deddy’s confidence in his team “I think he deserves to pursue The combination of genius and a Today, after returning from In line with Deddy, Uke also and experience already possessed, Ary is not willing to be arrogant his Master’s degree in the United America, he did see a change in Ary’s States,” said Deddy. America, Deddy attitude. “He’s more confident, but I First, according to Uke, data and said, is the best place for the best think it’s normal, not excessive,” he figures for Ary are merely data and and from the support of family and people. “It’s been a long time that no says. Understandably, he said, taking numbers only. But now, Ary can friends. 111 from God from his mother’s praying The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is an T h e I n d o n e s i a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l E d u c a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n ( I I E F ) is an Indonesian independent agency of the U.S. government that provides economic, not-for-profit organization that is committed to promoting the development of the development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support Indonesian people through international education. Established in 1982, IIEF has of the foreign policy goals of the United States. In 1961, President John developed expertise in four core areas: Scholarship and Fellowship Management; F. Kennedy signed the Foreign Assistance Act into law, creating by Capacity Development Initiatives; Services to Education; and Testing and Certification. executive order what is now known as USAID. USAID is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in more Strongly committed to delivering measurable impacts, IIEF is driven by its lasting values focusing on organizational excellence, professionalism, and integrity. IIEF is than 80 countries and territories in four regions of the world: Sub- dedicated to employ a fine-tuned combination of local and global approach in developing Saharan Africa, Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the its strategies and activities that are comprehensive, effective and innovative. Driven by a Caribbean, and Europe and Eurasia. USAID’s office in Indonesia is in long-standing commitment to expanding access to education including for those from Jakarta. remote and disadvantaged populations, IIEF has built significant institutional experience Since 1950’s, USAID and its predecessor agency have been working and network working with various populations throughout Indonesia, including those who with the Government and people of Indonesia to stimulate the may be facing geographic, economic, gender, linguistic or ethnic barriers to participation country’s economic development and meet the needs of its people. in education. Based on active partnerships with the host country government, Currently, IIEF has been trusted by various government institutions, corporations, local private and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, education institutions, organizations of profession, and other sponsors, both USAID/Indonesia mission identifies needs and establishes a strategy from Indonesia and overseas, to develop and manage a wide range of programs which for delivering assistance to the host country. The authority to design, include in-country and overseas scholarship, short-term scholarship, travel grant for procure and implement specific activities is largely delegated to the professional development, internship, education partnership, and professional mission, based on USAID/Washington’s approval of the country certification administration. strategy. USAID’s assistance is delivered through a variety of For over thirty years, IIEF has been the Indonesian partner organization of the contractors and grantees, including U.S. private businesses, U.S. and Institute of International Education (IIE), a leading private not-for-profit institution in the local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary international exchange of people and ideas, based in the United States with global organizations and international agencies. network in Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa, and MENA (http://www.iie.org). 121