L'Oréal Campaigns for Gender Equality in Science With #ChangeTheNumbers

Jakarta Globe, Devina Halim & Ratri M. Siniwi, October 08, 2016

In view of the fact that only 30 percent of researchers in the world are women,
 international beauty care company L'Oréal launched a global campaign titled
#ChangeTheNumbers in an effort to address the issue. (JG Photo/ Megan Herndon)

Jakarta. International beauty care company L'Oréal has launched a global campaign titled #ChangeTheNumbers in an effort to remedy the fact that only 30 percent of scientific researchers in the world are women.

The campaign manifesto lists several points considered essential in empowering younger women to develop careers in science and ensuring that there is equal opportunity and exposure for them in the field.

"L'Oréal believes the world needs science and science needs women. The purpose of this global campaign is to change the public perspective of women in science and to attract more women to choose becoming researchers," L'Oréal Indonesia head of communications Melanie Masriel said on Thursday (06/10).

Two inspiring Indonesian female researchers were invited to speak during a discussion about the lack of women in science, hosted by the company.

Ines Atmosukarto, chief executive and managing director of Australian vaccine research and development firm Lipotek Canberra, and Fenny M. Dwivany, associate professor in molecular biology at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), both mothers and recipients of the L'Oréal-Unesco for Women in Science International Fellowship in 2004 and 2007, respectively.

The two women said being a researcher is not for the weak, but that the hard work pays off with great rewards.

"We want to open the eyes of the younger generation to show that there are lots of rewards for being a researcher, so it's not only about the challenges," Ines said.

One of the rewards, she added, was the opportunity to see the world and being exposed to different cultures while studying or attending forums, and the ability of also providing that to her children.

"We can open the minds of our next generation to see the world and question everything and become more curious and creative," Ines said.

By doing so, she believes future generations would be able to help Indonesia move towards its goal of becoming a developed manufacturing country.

In terms of challenges, Fenny said researchers in Indonesia mostly face problems in infrastructure and funding.

"Indonesia is such a biodiverse country and as a biologist, it's sad to see these problems. But if we're not the ones researching this, then who will?" the associate professor said.

According to Fenny, being a researcher helps women to become more perseverant, detail-oriented and tough, especially with the ability to multitask as mothers and researchers.

"We have an advantage of having a different point of view from a male perspective, which could help fill the gap," she added.

While society still judges them against the norm of women having to be stay-at-home mothers, they accredit their support systems for being understanding and helping them break through that barrier while accomplishing their goals.

"I think we were both fortunate enough to have support systems that encouraged us to further our research and education. And I believe that having a support system is essential for researchers," Ines said.

Other than having great support systems, both women said the key to being successful in this field is to be constantly curios, while satisfaction is something dangerous in research.

"To be a scientist you must have fire in your belly, because research is all about working with failures and that should be the fuel to keep you going," Ines said.

The women believe that despite the difficulties, Indonesian girls should not be afraid of pursuing their dreams of becoming scientists.

"There is a culture in our society that makes us afraid of challenges. The potential in Indonesia is high, but there are not enough opportunities," Fenny said.

According to her, there are many Indonesian researchers studying abroad, but coming home is the challenge.

"When we as researchers return to Indonesia, we don't have fields to work in. We can't go home because there are not enough job opportunities," she added.

Ines, on the other hand, suggested that the government must provide incentives for businesses to develop research and development units to support innovation in the country, and in turn, create more job opportunities.

All parties involved must work together in order to increase the number of female researchers and promote gender equality in science across the globe.

"What we have now, our lifestyle, is the result of research done before. The regeneration [of science] is important to create innovations for the sake of posterity," Ines said.

She also believes that Indonesia needs to move away from a male-focused perspective, which should be taught to children from a young age.

"We need to empower young girls to make them believe that they are just as capable as boys – we have to break through the glass ceiling," she said.

Another way this could be changed, Fenny added, is through celebrating the accomplishments of what female scientists have achieved, rather than the constant focus on celebrities.

Related Article:

L’Oreal Sorority in Science Awards 10 Scholarships for Future Female Scientists

Jokowi, Putin Sign Five Agreements to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Jakarta Globe, Edo Karensa, May 19, 2016

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Russian President Vladimir Putin
 signed five agreements to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries on
Wednesday (18/05).(Reuters Photo/Kirill Kudryavtsev) 

Jakarta. Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Russian President Vladimir Putin have signed five agreements to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries on Wednesday (18/05).

The agreements were signed by both leaders during a bilateral meeting at President Putin's official residence in the resort city of Sochi in Southern Russia.

They include bilateral cooperations on defense, national and foreign affairs archives, culture as well as joint efforts to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.

“President Putin and I have agreed to strengthen our defense cooperation. We also discussed further cooperations on technology transfer, joint production, training and education,” Jokowi said, as quoted by the State Palace website.

Jokowi also said Indonesia and Russia will continue existing cooperation to combat terrorism and boost information exchanges in intelligent operations.

“We've had good coordination between the two countries to prevent terror threats, and now we have agreed to strengthen defense institutions in both countries,” Putin said.

In culture and education affairs, President Putin promised to grant 100 scholarships to Indonesian students next year, which will be a great addition to the 100 Indonesians already studying in Rusia.

The Indonesian president is visiting Rusia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Russia Summit 2016 on May 17-20, also in Sochi. He has invited President Putin to make a return visit to Indonesia.

Lippo Group Provides Rp. 1.5 Billion Scholarship For 10 State University in Indonesia

Jakarta Globe, Feb 18, 2015

Lippo Group recently held a scholarship handover ceremony for outstanding students of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) amounting to Rp. 150 million. The scholarship is annually given to 10 State University in Indonesia with an amount of Rp. 1.5 billion. ITB is regarded as one of the top university in Indonesia to received scholarship from the Lippo Group in 2015.

President Director of the Lippo Group , Theo Sambuaga, directly submitted the the scholarship aid to ITB Rector , Prof. Dr Ir. Kadarsyah Suwardi, witnessed by ITB’s senior leaders, and several representatives of students on the 17th of February, 2015.

Prior to the handover ceremony, the scholarship was already symbolically submitted by Lippo Group Chairman, Mochtar Riady to the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nasir, accompanied by the President of the Lippo Group, Theo Sambuaga.

The Top 10 State Universities that received Lippo Group scholarship are: University of Bengkulu, Lampung University, Gadjah Mada University, State University of Jakarta, Bandung Institute of Technology, University of Palangkaraya, Borneo Institute of Technology, Polytechnic of Kupang, Makassar State University and Polytechnic of North Nusa .

During his speech, the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Prof. Dr Muhammad Nasir expressed his appreciation towards Lippo Group, where its significant contribution within the academic world has always been substantial. He argues that Lippo Group represents the manifestation of the spirit and principles of mutual cooperation, in the joint efforts of society and the business sector to answer the challenges faced by Indonesia, particularly in improving the quality of higher education, research, and technology.

“This reflects Lippo Group’s commitment to develop Indonesia’s human resources in all aspects of life. We believe that human resources in Indonesia are reliable and will make a significant contribution in improving the quality of life as well as the progress of the nation in general, “said Dr. Mochtar Riady, Chairman of the Lippo Group.

According to the President of the Lippo Group, Theo L. Sambuaga, the scholarship are awarded to to outstanding students, particularly those who came from underprivileged family backgrounds in economics.

Landmark Education Deal Looks to Maritime Future

Jakarta Globe, Rabab Hannan, Feb 10, 2015

Pelita Harapan University (UPH) rector Jonathan L. Parapak, right, director of the
 Shipping and Transportation College Rotterdam (STC-Group) Albert Bos, center,
 and MCS Internasional manning and training services managing director Johan
Novitrian sign a cooperation agreement as Hajo Provo Kluit from the Netherlands
 Embasy, right, and Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi director Theo Lekatompessy
look on. (ID Photo/Emral)

Jakarta. Hajo Provo Kluit, the deputy head of the economic department of the Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta, has formalized the signing of a maritime educational partnership between Pelita Harapan University (UPH), STC-Group Rotterdam and Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi.

The master’s program opens management opportunities in the field of maritime industry, with practical training and internship collaboration provided by STC and Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi.

Held at the university’s executive education facility in Jakarta on Monday, the signing of the cooperation allows the expansion of human resources in the fields of maritime, logistics and supply chain.

“The ties between Indonesia and Netherlands are very broad. Our embassy processes about 28,000 visa applications a year to travel to the Netherlands. Students are also studying at various institutes in Netherlands,” Provo Kluit said.

“Another area in which the Indonesian government is close to the Netherlands is interest in infrastructure, logistics and water management. I like to think of Indonesia as our gateway to Southeast Asia,” Provo Kluit added on behalf of the economic department of the Netherlands Embassy.

UPH’s key mission is for the specialization of the maritime industry and for senior managers to access port authority, shipping and logistics companies throughout Indonesia.

“I’d like to thank STC and Humpuss to have actually taken part together in this executive program to start something unique in Indonesia,” said UPH rector Jonathan Parapak. “This is a very elite program that will be of interest to many Indonesians. Thank you to the embassy of the Netherlands for supporting this too.”

International faculty members will also teach the program from one of the world’s largest shipping schools — STC Group Rotterdam — offering practical and engaging experiences.

“Hopefully this program can help future executives of the government,” said STC director Captain Albert Bos.

The UPH executive education center was established in 2013 with a mission to provide cutting-edge, results-orientated executive education programs that build managerial and leadership capabilities.

UPH is pushing for an international standard in education, especially in the field of human capital training for maritime services.

“The government is pushing for a maritime industry but I think there is a significant gap in the human capital development in that particular sector,” said UPH senior adviser for executive education Grace Ugut. “Building ports can be done quite quickly — money is there — but building human capital is something that will have to be invested in.”

The uniqueness of this program lies in the integration of shipping, commercial, technological and even maritime law and leadership endeavors.

“Our program will not only open up a classroom, but there is a component of internship, local content and we partner with STC because they are really good in terms of technical assistance but we also invite institutes from the UK and Sweden as they are very strong on the maritime quality and insurance,” Grace said. “We want the best standard but at the same time have all the local content.”

Theo Lekatompessy, president director of new partner Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi, however, revealed the extent of international and regional challenges through inconsistent standards of educational recognition.

“The problem is basically we need a standard in Indonesia; at least the harmonization of education. So when you have a certificate in Jakarta it will reflect the same wherever you go,” Theo said. “Our next issue is how to apply the standard on certifications of the skills [in maritime] with international standards?”

He emphasized the need to overlook international standards in order to find national common ground for Indonesian Maritime education.

“STC is fine-tuning the standards and allowing it to become applicable. UPH will focus on the education and development of the capacity building group.”

Related Articles:

Jokowi’s Case for Indonesia’s Ocean Future

'Great wall of Jakarta' plan to combat floods

Indonesia lecturers study realistic Math in Netherlands

Antara News, Sat, February 2 2013

Utrecht in Netherlands (ANTARA/Jafar)

Related News

• Indonesia`s trade ministry to study database management under Stuned scholarship
• Dutch govt provides scholarships on horticulture training to Indonesia
• Indonesian lecturer develops self-healing concrete in Delft
• ANTARA journalists join multimedia training in Netherlands
• Jakarta allocates rp1.12 trillion to tackle flood problem

Delft, the Netherlands (ANTARA News) - Ten Indonesian lecturers are studying realistic mathematics education in Freudenthal Institute of Utrecht University, the Netherlands through a joint program of Director General of Higher Education (Dikti) and the Dutch institution, Nuffic Neso Indonesia.

The educational activity is International Master Program on Mathematics Education (IMPoME) which started in 2009, the Director of Nuffic Neso Indonesia, Mervin Bakker said in a press release received by ANTARA here Saturday.

"So far IMPoME has produced 22 master degree in realistic mathematics education or RME," he said.

Realistic mathematics education is a teaching and learning of mathematics education which was first introduced Professor Freudenthal, and developed by Freudenthal Institution in the Netherlands.

The education makes math close to children and connecting mathematics with everyday activites. In addition, realistic mathematical idea emphasizes mathematics as a part of life, where students can engage in the same process as when a mathematical concept was first discovered by experts.

Realistic mathematics education master program for teachers is conducted through StuNed (Studeren in Nederland) scholarship program, Mervin said.

According to Mervin, realistic mathematics education in Indonesia has been implemented since 2001 through a pilot project in twelve elementary schools, and today has grown in hundreds of schools from Aceh to Ambon involving 20 teachers.

Freudenthal Institute of Utrecht University is a leading university in the Netherlands, and is one of the top 100 universities in the world.

"Hence, we convince the quality of higher education programs and its graduates will benefit to the development of mathematics education in Indonesia," Mervin said.

The human resources director of Dikti, Supriadi Rustad said the cooperation of mathematics education program involved Sriwijaya University (UNSRI), Palembang and Surabaya State University (UNESA).        

The two universities arrange the candidate selection process, as well as carrying out training to increase the English proficiency before departure to the Netherlands.

"The collaboration with the University of Uthrecht aims to improve the capacity of Indonesian lecturers towards a world-class university," Supriadi said, adding that currently Dikti is preparing a pre double degree for a year and double degree for 2 years, not only at mathematical education, but also covers other sciences.   

Nuffic Neso Indonesia is an agency appointed by the Netherlands government to handle international cooperation in the field of higher education, as well as to manage StuNed (Studeren in Nederland-Study in the Netherlands) scholarship program.

Every year StuNed program sends more than 200 Indonesian students to study in the Netherlands through master, short courses and tailor made training programs.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

US universities hold US education fair in Jakarta, Medan, Semarang, Surabaya

Antara News, Tue, February 22 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel, here, Sunday (Feb. 20) spoke at the Spring 2011 EducationUSA Fair, held in partnership with 38 prominent U.S. educational institutions.

U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel (Antara)

The EducationUSA Fair, which was open to the public, included university representatives and presentations on "Study in the USA" and the student visa application process, a press statement of the US Embassy in Jakarta, said here, Tuesday.

The EducationUSA Fair started on Sunday, February 20 in Jakarta, followed by events in Medan on February 22, Semarang on February 24, and Surabaya on February 26 before concluding in Denpasar on February 28.

Attendees will be able to meet university representatives and follow activities through EducationUSA`s website and social media channels, including Facebook, Skype, and Twitter.

The EducationUSA Fair is an annual advising activity coordinated by AMINEF/EducationUSA that provides accurate and impartial information on studying in the United States by facilitating direct interaction between students and university representatives.

This Fair also enhanced students` exposure to the thousands of possibilities of majors, programs, scholarships and assistantship opportunities available at U.S. academic institutions.

The Fair is part of AMINEF`s EducationUSA initiative to contribute to the goals set forth in the Comprehensive Partnership agreement between the governments of the Republic of Indonesia and the United States of America to double the number of Indonesians studying in the U.S. in the next five years.

During the Fair, representatives of the U.S. Embassy Consular Office provided information on the visa application process.

The Consular section welcomes student visa applications and has made the application process as easy as possible. Student visa applicants are guaranteed an appointment on any Monday the Embassy is open.

The Education USA website at www.educationusa.or.id provides more details of the visit agenda along with additional information on universities, courses, and studying in the United States.

Editor: Priyambodo

Piece of Mind: A Delayed Return to Indonesia

Jakarta Globe, Tita Alissa Listyowardojo | December 13, 2010

There is a dilemma almost every Indonesian living overseas faces at one point or another: fight to stay abroad or fly back to their beloved country?

As a young Indonesian, I believe that being abroad offers me more freedom and opportunity, especially in my career as a researcher. It also makes me feel like I’m constantly on an “adventure.”

As a Chinese-Indonesian woman abroad, I do not see the difference between living abroad or in Indonesia because I feel that I belong nowhere.

This feeling of disconnection from my home country is related to my painful memories of the May 1998 riots in my hometown of Jakarta, which targeted Chinese-Indonesian people and property.

Philosophically speaking, I feel like I can “belong” anywhere.

I have been questioned a lot by my Indonesian friends and extended family about why I choose to live abroad.

Have I forgotten about my widowed mother in Jakarta?

Have I become unpatriotic?

Have I forgotten where I come from?

No, I have not.

I think about those things every day.

But living is about choosing what is best for yourself.

If I had returned home years ago, after throwing away what was possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and had become unhappy with my life, who would I have to blame?

Those who matter to me support my decision. Period.

In addition, I still need to answer the question, “How far can I go?”

I can always go home, but the opportunity to do research abroad may not come again.

But now, my research contract with a University in the Netherlands is almost finished.

Once more, I am faced with the possibility of having to go home if I do not find another job in the near future.

Trying to stay abroad could be a bumpy road.

For example, I’d have to find an institution willing to obtain a working permit for me.

Or I have to compete with other scholars from developed countries who speak perfect English and are used to being charming and selling themselves.

Although the expense of issuing a working permit may not be a problem for most institutions that employ highly educated expatriates, the problem is that most institutions do not want to go through the hassle of immigration paperwork.

In Europe, most countries have employment procedures that favor local hires over candidates from other European countries, not to mention developed countries such as the United States, Australia or England.

Obviously, candidates from developing countries have an even more difficult time.

On the one hand, going home means being able to embrace my friends and family.

But I have to ask myself, is this option right for me now, having left home for so many years?

How will I adapt back into the culture?

What kind of work can I get in research?

Will this work be properly funded?

Will having a high-level degree help my career in Indonesia, or will it just make me overqualified?

What about all the friendships I’ve made, the networks I’ve established and the efforts I’ve put into building my career in Europe?

Should I return to Indonesia, I think I’ll be able to face all these daunting questions.

My survival skills will kick in and help me to acclimatize.

But they are bugging me now.

There was a time when I thought I’d go back to my home country eventually.

It was when I was in a relationship with another Indonesian.

The idea of getting back together with him provided a strong incentive to return home.

However, when our decision to get married did not get “family approval” due to ethnic and religious differences, we decided to respect our families by separating.

After that, I immediately fell back into my old pattern of thinking.

Those questions nagged me, confirming that I should stay abroad as long as possible.

Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist and Noble Prize winner in Economics, suggests that negative memories have a disproportionate effect on our decision-making processes.

For example, if you go on an enjoyable trip but have one bad experience, that one bad memory might be enough to make you not want to visit that place again.

As everybody knows, human memory is flawed and bad memories tend to have a longer shelf life than good.

I might have more bad memories about Indonesia than good ones, but I might have also overlooked bad experiences that happened to me outside Indonesia.

At any rate, I intend to fight for my place abroad.

If I can’t hold out, at least I know I still have a home waiting, well ... at home.

Despite everything, that’s still a comfort.

Tita Alissa Listyowardojo is a researcher based in the Netherlands.

Related Article:

Good post: I am not Chinese, I am INDONESIAN-Chinese

I’m not Chinese, I’m INDONESIAN Chinese

Dutch universities and colleges popular among Indonesian students

RNW, 9 August 2010 - 8:06pm

Nuffic Neso Indonesia, the official representation of Dutch higher education in Jakarta has announced that in the coming academic year nearly 400 Indonesians will come to the Netherlands to study at a Dutch university or college. Nuffic Neso helps foreign students secure a place at Dutch institutes of higher education.

University of Groningen

The Netherlands and Germany are the two most important European countries for Indonesians wishing to study abroad. Nuffic Neso Indonesia spokesperson Ariono Hadipuro says this is because Dutch education is held in high regard. And students can pursue their studies in English so there is no need to first learn Dutch.

The historical ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands also play a role in many students' their decision to come here. According to Ariono, “Many Indonesian words come from the Dutch”. A total of 1450 Indonesians will be studying in the Netherlands this year. Each year between 350 and 400 Indonesians enrol at Dutch universities and colleges.

Popular studies among the Indonesians are environmentology, business economics and civil engineering. The northern university town of Groningen is surprisingly popular. Ariono says this is because the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (State university of Groningen) undertakes many promotional activities in Indonesia and has close ties with an Indonesian university.

However, the largest number of Indonesian students who wish to study abroad go to Australia.

Related Articles:

Aussie, US, UK and S’pore top choices for overseas study

18 Indonesian Journalists to Focus on New Media in Netherlands

Wageningen University Lipdub

Luck, Skill Spark Indonesian Swimmer's Olympic Dream

Jakarta Globe, Ami Afriatni, March 29, 2010

Indonesian swimmer Fibriani Ratna Marita hopes to build on her showing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning a medal at the first Youth Olympic Games. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

One of the oldest yarns in sports says that it is better to be lucky than good.

For athletes such as Fibriani Ratna Marita, though, it is even better to be lucky and good.

After the 16-year-old competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she has another chance to enjoy the Olympic experience. Singapore will host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games on August 14-26, giving Fibriani the chance to become the first Indonesian to participate in two Olympics within four years.

“I’m so glad knowing that I could compete in both the senior and Youth Olympics. With the experience I got in Beijing, I’m sure I can do better in Singapore. I hope I can make it to the final and bring a medal back home,” Fibriani told the Jakarta Globe.

Her first appearance came after some good fortune. The Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee granted Indonesia two wild cards in swimming, which the Indonesian Swimming Association (PRSI) awarded to Donny Budiarto Utomo and Fibriani.

Fibriani finished the women’s 200-meter individual medley, her favorite event, in 2:28.18, while Donny posted a 2:03.44 in the men’s 200-meter butterfly.

She had less than a month to rest following the 2009 Southeast Asian Games, where she finished fourth in the 200 IM, before returning to the national training camp in January.

In addition to preparing for the Youth Olympics and Asian Games, Fibriani also has an education to maintain. She stays on track for graduation by undergoing home schooling with Patricia Yosita Hapsari, a fellow Youth Games qualifier, at Century Athlete Hotel in Senayan. They receive one to three hours of instruction by three teachers from Tuesday through Friday.

“I know it is hard for me to study in an ordinary school like other kids do as the training schedule is tight and does not allow me to go,” said Fibriani, who is registered as a student at SMA 8 Malang, a high school in her home town in Malang, East Java.

“Since I can’t do that, I think it’s better to call the teachers at home. They will transfer my results to the school everytime I finish my examination.”

Fibriani secured her ticket to the Youth Olympics after posting a 2:23.98 in the 200 IM preliminaries at the Singapore National Age Group Championships, a qualifying event for the Games. Her time easily beat the qualifying mark of 2:26.97. Patricia and Pratama Siahaan later joined her in the Singapore contingent.

The road to success is not without potholes, even for athletes who have shown themselves to be Indonesia’s best. With sports federations across the country facing funding shortages, national athletes must support themselves financially, and Fibriani is no exception.

She has used her own money for her daily needs and training while waiting for the government and the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) to come up with athletes’ salaries.

“It’s been disturbing for me. I hope they will take care of it soon,” she said.

Some measure of help may be on the way, though. The Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) recently announced it would provide scholarships for the country’s most promising athletes, including those who have qualified for the Youth Olympics.

“It’s one of our efforts to honor our young athletes. They will be the ones to represent us at the 2016 Olympic Games,” said Ade Lukman, head of KOI’s Cultural and Olympic Education Commission.

The scholarships, he said, will come from sponsorships and other outlets, such as the Olympic Solidarity Program from the International Olympic Committee.

“It is great to know that. I hope I can continue my study in the USA or Australia with the scholarships,” Fibriani said.

In addition to the scholarships, she can also draw on the inspiration of her idol. Swimmer Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics, is an ambassador for the Youth Games.

“I saw him as a participant in Beijing. Now he is coming as an ambassador. That’s great,” Fibriani said.

Related Article:

Amsterdam Swim Cup: Ranomi Kromowidjojo Swift in 100 Free

Ranomi Kromowidjojo (25 Aug 2008)

Papuans to benefit from US$1 million scholarship fund

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 03/19/2010 10:55 AM

A US$1 million scholarship program for Papuans to study in the US, signed on Wednesday, is expected to benefit both Indonesia and the US, say representatives of Indonesia and the US.

Deputy Minister of National Education, Fasli Jalal, welcomed the funding, which is part of PT Freeport Indonesia’s corporate social responsibility program. He said it could enhance the quality of educators in Papua as the program is for Papuans wishing to complete graduate degrees in masters and community college programs in the United States.

“[This program] is strategic for Papua because the standards of Papuan universities, such as Universitas Cendrawasih and Universitas Negeri Papua, can increase through cooperation,” Fasli said.

“In Papua itself, more than 50 higher education institutions are not up to the standard mandated for teachers and lecturers,” Fasli said.

He said studies such as biodiversity, food security and water management, are essential to Papua.

The US also expects to benefit from the arrival of Papuan students, who will bring a new perspective to the institutions they will study in.

“They are coming from a region that is not well known to most Americans and if they go to universities that do not have East Asia or Pacific study programs, it will certainly enhance their college’s understanding of eastern Indonesia,” said the executive director of the American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation (Aminef) Michael E. McCoy.

Aminef will select grantees and disburse the funds.

Freeport will not require recipients of the grants to work for them as the funds are part of their corporate social responsibility program.

“Freeport has been in Indonesia for 41 years and this is part of our commitment to the Indonesian government and Indonesian people, especially the Papuans,” said the executive president director and chief administrative officer of Freeport, Sinta Sirait.

The US government, which supports the higher education component of the emerging Indonesia-US Comprehensive Partnership, responded positively to the MoU signing.

“Scholarship recipients will return home and contribute to the development of their community and Indonesia,” said US Ambassador Cameron Hume.

Freeport will also continue to support Aminef with its Fulbright program, which sent 22 masters degree scholarship recipients from Papua to study in the US between 1998 and 2009. This latest program will be valid for the next five years, from 2010 to 2015. (gzl)

Obama's Elementary School In Menteng Prepares for Visit

Jakarta Globe, February 04, 2010

Barack "Barry" Obama in a class photo from SDN Menteng 01 school. (AP Photo/SDN School Menteng 1)

An advance team met has visited US President Barack Obama's former elementary school in Menteng in order to prepare for Obama's expected arrival in March.

The 30-person team included White House staffers and representatives from the US Embassy. They met with officials at the SDN 01 Menteng school and the chairman of its alumni association, Hiramsyah S Thaib.

“We had two meetings today, an internal meeting with school officials and a meeting with the US Embassy team,” Hiramsyah told detik.com on Thursday.

The US team inspected the school and took photographs.. Hiramsyah said the school is doing its best to welcome its most famous alumni, but denied rumors that it is planning a major renovation.

“We hope Obama's visit will go well and we will try to be a good host because the world will be watching,” he said.

Obama attended the school during part of the four years he spent in Jakarta with his mother and Indonesian stepfather.

JG

Australia names 20 Indonesians for 2010 Endeavour Awards

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 01/21/2010 5:44 PM | National

A total of 20 Indonesians have been selected for the Australian Government Endeavour Awards this year, including two winners of the Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award.

A recipient of the Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award, Agustian Sutrisno, national program officer for UNESCO, said that furthering studies at a PhD level in Australia would refine his educational management skills by conducting research based on actual educational management practices.

“Qualified researchers in the field of education are very rare in Indonesia and, by completing my PhD, I will be a researcher and an academic who is able to provide evidence-based inputs and advice on the development of our educational sector,” he said.

Agnes Sumargi, a senior lecturer at Widya Mandala Catholic University in Surabaya, is also a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award and plans to research the effect of parenting education programs on parenting skills in Indonesia.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer will honor the 20 high-achieving Indonesian recipients of the awards this evening.

“The recipients of these prestigious awards will continue to strengthen research and professional linkages between Australia and Indonesia and enhance their professional careers in their chosen field,” Farmer said in a statement Thursday.

Australia has been providing scholarships to Indonesia for almost 60 years.

This year six Australians also won Endeavour Awards to conduct research in Indonesia.

Related Article:

Twenty Indonesians receive 2010 Australian Endeavor Awards

‘Amerikaku’ Shows the Stories of Indonesian Students in the USA

Jakarta Globe, Armando Siahaan

"Amerikaku" tells the tales of Indonesian students and their new friends and families in the US. (Photo courtesy of the US Embassy.)

Indonesian students are increasingly traveling to the United States to expand their educational horizons, often as part of exchange programs or to attain a college degree, and camera crews are now accompanying them of the voyage.

Running exclusively on O Channel as a six-part series, “Amerikaku” (“My America”) documents the story of four Indonesian high school students, selected from among thousands of applicants, who are studying in the US as part of the US State Department’s Youth Exchange and Study program.

Established in 2002, with about 100 Indonesian participants every year, the scholarship program is awarded to students in “countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the US,” said Tristram Perry, who, as the public diplomacy officer at the US Embassy in Indonesia, is in charge of the program.

“Students live with host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures,” he said.

In “Amerikaku,” the students all come from different backgrounds and are sent to live with families in four different US cities.

The first episode, which aired on Sunday, introduces the audience to the students and their American host families.

It begins with a scene in the US Embassy in Jakarta, where the batik-wearing student applicants are waiting for the visa interview.

The students appear nervous but after the interview is over, some of them say the interviews “were not that hard,” and one is surprised that the American interviewer conducted the whole process in Indonesian.

Flying all the way from Banda Aceh to Ballston Spa in New York is Miftah Sugesti, a student who’s friends desribe her as “sometimes mature, but sometimes childish,” and “intellectual [with] a sense of leadership and very active.”

Miftah is deciding whether her career goal should be to aim to be minister for the environment, a communications expert or an anthropologist. She lives with a family of five, the Browers, who have two adopted children from Taiwan.

Nindy Silvie, also from Banda Aceh, describes herself saying, “I can be serious, but can be funny too.” She says she has “something big in mind” to make a change in social and political arenas.

During her temporary stay in Uncle Sam’s country, Nindy stays with a family of keen Barack Obama supporters. In this first episode, the chatty student gives a tour of the exotically decorated house where she lives, showing her backyard, the study and her bedroom.

Anisa Devi is a petite, headscarf-wearing vivacious girl from Jepara, a small city in the northeast of Semarang, Central Java. Her mother said that initially she wasn’t keen on her daughter traveling to the US. But her father said that despite her pint-sized body, she is “outgoing” and “brave.”

Anisa goes to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to live with the Blakes. Her host dad calls her “very fun,” and says she “likes to get involved with activities, and while her host brother testifies, “she’s crazy.”

Bespectacled Waskito Jati comes from Yogyakarta, and he is sent to Charlotte, North Carolina. There, he lives with a family of three, with a Hispanic mother.

In the first episode, Waskito tries Mexican food for the first time — tortilla and pimento.

He then scrutinizes the house’s refrigerator, which contains beer, zucchini, peanut butter and jelly — things that he describes as “American.”

Based on the first episode, the value of this show predominantly comes from the cross-cultural aspect that it presents. The host families come from a variety of backgrounds, which shows the US as a diverse country.

It is exciting to see Indonesian students learning about differing cultures, but so far the show lacks the entertainment element that might make televised cultural learning more enjoyable.

The stories are at times flat, while the characters are not as engaging and lively as they could be.

But according to Perry, Hollywood-style entertainment is not the main selling point of the show.

“People who want to see the real America will be very interested in the program, because it is not a Hollywood version of what life is like in America,” he said.

“It deals with their everyday lives and you can see that both [the students] and their host families are real people with lots in common,” Perry said.

“It’s not like anything else you’ll see on television.”

Related Articles:

Film will tell story of Dutch Indonesians

Dutch Indonesians' search for home

Indonesian-Dutch Adoptee Pins Hopes on Internet Search