Prestasi a journey

22
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY

CONTENTS
Introduction 5
A GLANCE AT PRESTASI 7
PRESTASI Overview 7
Achievers of PRESTASI 9
OUTREACH AND SELECTION 12
Outreach 12
Reaching Out Over the Country 12
Optimization of Website and Social Media 16
Selection 18
Tight Selection Stages, but Fair 18
Applicant Reviews with Credibility and Integrity 22
TRAINING AND MONITORING 39
Three Plus One: The Powerful Supplies 39
English Language Training (English for Academic Purposes/EAP) 41
Statistics Training 44
Leadership Training 44
Evaluation: Induction is So Meaningful 48
Pre-Departure Orientation 49
From the Departure to Taking Part 50
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, ACTING PLACE WHILE BACK 55
ALPHA-I Already Rocking Step 55
BEHIND THE SCENES OF PRESTASI 112
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
LANGUAGE EDITOR
OF INDONESIA VERSION:
Lensi Mursida
REPORTER COORDINATOR:
Yophiandi Kurniawan
REPORTERS JAKARTA:
Veby Mega Indah, Wenri Wanhar,
Okky Mulyadi
JAYAPURA:
Katharina Lita
YOGYAKARTA AND SALATIGA:
Hari Nugroho
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Wahono Kolopaking, Ratri Pratiwi,
Bodi Chandra, Hari Nugroho, Katharina Lita
TRANSLATOR:
Diyan Srikandini
EDITOR OF ENGLISH VERSION:
Diyan Srikandini
PROOFREADER:
Patrick M Compau
COVER AND LAYOUT DESIGNER:
Iftachul Ngumar
PRESTASI GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
IIEF – INDONESIAN INTERNATIONAL
EDUCATION FOUNDATION,
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

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
44
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY

T
his report is about the journey of the PRESTASI scholarship
program from April 2011 to September 2012. Experiences,
stories, achievements and challenges faced by the
PRESTASI team in providing services to recipients, alumni
and other stakeholders are summarized in the report
PPRREESSTTAASSII:: AA JJoouurrnneeyy.
To get a comprehensive story from various perspectives we dropped a full
team to conduct interviews with various parties, either directly or indirectly
involved in the PRESTASI scholarship program, which is fully supported by
USAID. More than 86 speakers were involved and interviewed by our team to
complete this report. Those interviewed included our team in PRESTASI IIEF -
Indonesian International Education Foundation and our partners in the United
States from the Institute of International Education (IIE) who shared their
stories of joy and sorrow in running the PRESTASI program, from the outreach
and selection stages up until welcoming the alumni back to Indonesia and their
excitement when forming an alumni association.
We also visited a number of Independent Reviewers and Regional
Interviewers who were directly involved in the selection process and noted
their experiences during the process - which is full of competition. They are
national leaders who have expertise in their respective fields within a variety
of professions, such as lecturers and professors from several universities, NGO
leaders and economic observers and practitioners. We see the enthusiasm of
the Indonesian national leaders who welcomed the scholarship program and
provided some valuable feedback for us. Their opinions, impressions and
interest are in the section entitled “Applicant Reviews with Credibility and
Integrity”.
In addition, we also interviewed our partners, the actors and think tanks
backstage at Pre-Academic Training (PAT) PRESTASI: representatives of the
International Language Institute, University of Indonesia (LBI-UI) that provided
the PRESTASI scholars with English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Tutorials,
two professors from the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM)
Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta that provided statistical and SPSS
training materials in a fun and exciting way as well as expert Human
Resources (HR) who are also psychologists, PT Daya Insani who gave
substance for Leadership Training to scholars to remind them that their
potential skills can be optimized, forming a positive mental attitude and strong
morale and a spirit of healthy competition within the scholars.
The final step was to interview 11 people, five of whom represented the
Technical Office (TO) USAID. These people were selected based on an internal
review by the team of PRESTASI IIEF by weighing factors such as being
actively involved in the decision making process in the mid-to-upper level of
institutions/organizations, both at the provincial and national levels; providing
INTRODUCTION
55

services to the community and being voluntarily committed to implementing
new ideas and services to the wider community; having achieved excellent
results from institutions/organizations at the provincial, national and interna-
tional levels; making changes in the institution/organization by providing ideas,
knowledge and new skills; excelling in their career/professions such as by get-
ting a promotion and/or grades; being actively involved in representing the
institution/ organization at provincial, national and international levels; gaining
new skills and knowledge which has been recognized by the institution/organi-
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,
we also interviewed their principals or supervisors in the institutions in which
they work as well as some of their colleagues to assess the changes and the
impact they felt after PRESTASI Alumni returned to their homeland. We got a
lot of answers from these alumni stories, including the stories of their
struggles on and off campus during their study in the United States and some
fragments of their stories about after they returned to take part in their
respective fields upon their return to Indonesia. A series of these interesting
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
can make an impact. Hopefully PRESTASI: A Journey can provide a
comprehensive review of this scholarship program.
Jakarta, September 2012
Mira Sambada
Chief of Party
PRESTASI Graduate Scholarship
66
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY

PRESTASI OVERVIEW
The word “prestasi”, according
to the Indonesian Dictionary
(KBBI), means: achievements.
When used as a verb with “high” to
“outstanding” the meaning is:
having achievements in a case.
However, PRESTASI, which is
the name of the scholarship
program from the United States
Agency for International
Development (USAID), is not a
direct translation from Indonesian.
PRESTASI is an abbreviation of the
Program to Extend Scholarships
and Training to Achieve
Sustainable Impacts, which roughly
means “Scholarship Program for
Study and Training to Obtain a
Sustainable Impact”.
In some programs supported by
USAID in Indonesia, the U.S.
government tends to use
abbreviations that also have
meanings in Indonesian. So by
calling the program PRESTASI,
which already has meaning and is
very popular in the Indonesian
language the program is more
easily recognized and remembered
in the minds of Indonesian people.
USAID launched PRESTASI
Scholarship program in April 2011
as a continuation of the Human
and Institutional Capacity
Development (HICD) program,
aiming to improve the leadership
skills and performance of
Indonesian professionals, which will
benefit the development of
Indonesia. PRESTASI will
strengthen and expand the skill
base of professionals and
institutions in Indonesia, both in
the public sector, Civil Society
Organization (CSO), or private
sector. Through this program,
hundreds of Indonesian people
have had the opportunity for
education, both short-term and for
Masters and Doctoral degrees, in
the United States, Indonesia and
other countries.
PRESTASI focuses on the subject
areas of Education, Health,
Environment, Economics Growth and
Democratic Governance. PRESTASI
is open to all Indonesian
undergraduates who are eligible for
Masters and Doctoral degrees
while the requirement of
participants for short-term training
programs is modified according to
their respective areas of training.
The name PRESTASI is similar
to a number of other programs,
which are also conducted in
Indonesia. In order to avoid
confusion it is necessary to brand
the program therefore it is better
known as USAID PRESTASI.
Since April 2011 USAID
entrusted the implementation of
the PRESTASI program to
Indonesian International Education
Foundation (IIEF). IIEF is a local
organization from Indonesia
working in partnership with the
77
A GLANCE AT PRESTASI

Institute of International Education
(IIE), an international organization
based in New York and Washington
DC, which is one of the most
experienced private, non-profit
educational organizations in the
world.
The scholarship program was
initially handled by another imple-
menter/contractor, under a pro-
gram titled FORECAST-HICD
(Human and Institutional Capacity
Development). The project was
transferred to IIEF after the
FORECAST program came to an
end. USAID used his or her own
judgment when selecting an
Indonesian contractor to work on
this program. “When USAID asked,
we had to submit a proposal,” said
Mira Sambada, Chief of Party (COP)
PRESTASI.
IIEF revised its proposal several
times, especially in relation to the
budget. “The main challenge in this
process was because the program
was in the transition period from
the previous contractor where all
scholars under the previous
program management transferred
to IIEF. To compile a budget for a
program that has already been
running is a greater challenge than
designing a budget from the start,”
said Mira.
According to Mira Sambada,
under PRESTASI the scholarship
program offers scholarships for
master’s degrees and is open for
all Indonesian undergraduates. Of
course, there are minimum
requirements that must be
possessed by the candidates, they
must have a TOEFL®ITP score of
at least 450 or English language
proficiency test results equivalent
to the TOEFL®ITP, TOEFL®iBT or
IELTS, they must have a spirit of
leadership, good academic
achievements in a field of study
that is relevant to the development
objectives of USAID and the
Government of Indonesia, and they
must be eligible to undergo
education or advanced training.
The PRESTASI Representative
Program Manager ensures that the
scholarship applicants are treated
equally through a fair selection
process. The selection process
involves a series or stages that have
been agreed between IIEF as the
program organizer and USAID as
the donor. This means that the
determination of the candidates
who are eligible to receive the
scholarship will be made through a
tiered selection of mechanisms
starting from document review
where IIEF team will check the
administrative completeness of
applicant’s documents and
eligibility of the documents as the
requirement specify. This is
followed by criteria review, which
is conducted by an independent
appraisal panel with high integrity
that is recruited from a variety of
backgrounds and areas of
expertise. Next there is a regional
face-to-face interview to filter out
88
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
GRAFIK 1
Sumber: IIEF-PRESTASI Data
Summary Description of PRESTASI
Scholars (2007 - 2012)

the best candidates from the
region to compete at national
level. The final determination or
final decision is made by a team
from USAID. “This selection
process is undertaken for
transparency and fairness. Thus,
there is no room for collusion,”
said Mira, who has a degree in
psychology from the University of
Indonesia.
Mira, a mother of three
children, explained that those who
were selected were appropriate
figures. Of course, besides having
academic requirements or good
English proficiency, it is also
important is to have integrity,
especially those who have a
concern for the community.
“Concern for the community can
be reflected through the activities
of certain institutions or
organization created to develop
the community. This is important
since the purpose of this program
is to make the recipients become
leaders in this field,” said Mira.
Due to the nature of the
PRESTASI program the program
management - starting from
information dissemination to
capture the interest of applicants
to scholars finishing their studies
and graduated - was conducted by
USAID and IIEF in a special way.
IIEF perform a series of processes:
first, the dissemination of
information to capture the interest
of applicants and to select
candidates; second, arranging
training for scholars before
departing to the U.S., finding the
appropriate universities, and
monitoring during their studies;
third, monitoring the progress of
the PRESTASI alumni in
institutions in which they work and
in the community.
So, arguably, PRESTASI
Scholarship is an integrated and
sustainable program, in accordance
with its meaning.
ACHIEVERS OF PRESTASI
Based on the results of
recruitment in 2012 for the year
2013 there were 39 PRESTASI
Scholarship recipients. 30 out of
the 39 PRESTASI recipients will
study master’s degrees in the
United States and nine will study in
Indonesia. However, there are two
people who withdrew because they
also received scholarships from
other institutions.
From a total of 37 people from
the selection process 54% of
participants were women.
Outcomes showed that IIEF
surpassed the targets required by
USAID to recruit 50% women as
recipients of the PRESTASI
scholarship program. In addition,
the geographical composition of
the PRESTASI scholars was in line
with USAID expectations to give
more attention to candidates from
Central and Eastern Indonesia.
64% of PRESTASI scholars come
99
GRAFIK 2
Description of PRESTASI Long
Term Training Scholars Based on
Age (2007 - 2012)

from outside Java, and 36% were
from Java. The employment
backgrounds of the 37 PRESTASI
scholars were varied consisting of:
33% civil servants, 31% teachers
and lecturers, 15% NGO, 8%
private or public institutions, 8%
research institutions and 5%
journalists and media.
The number of scholarship
recipients for 2013 adds to a long
list of PRESTASI scholarship
recipients. In the period 2007 -
2012, including the program HICD
(Human and Institutional Capacity
Development), there are already
192 people who have been given
scholarships to study Masters or
Doctorates. 166 of these people
went on to study in the United
States and 26 people took
graduate courses in Indonesia. Of
the166 people who studied in the
United States 77 of them have
earned a Master’s degree and are
already alumni of PRESTASI.
The average age of the scholars
was also shifted significantly when
comparing the HICD program to
PRESTASI program. When HICD
operated the program the age
range was more diverse but
PRESTASI scholars were
dominated by the younger
generation. From the data compiled
by IIEF in the year 2007 - 2010 age
composition comprised 8% of
scholars aged 41-50 years, 53%
aged 31-40 years, and 39% in the
range of 21-30 years. While for 2011
zero percent of scholars were aged
41-50 years, 4% aged 31-40 years
and 96% were aged 21-30 years. In
2012 there was no scholars aged
41-50 years, 30% were aged 31-40
years and 70% were aged 21-30
years.
The data shows that the
PRESTASI program has attracted
the attention of Indonesian young
professionals. This trend has
positive implications for PRESTASI
scholars, institutions, and the State
of Indonesia in general because it
is assumed the alumni will have a
longer time to contribute their best
to strengthen their home
institution in which they work and
contribute positively to the country
as well.
Composition of the number of
recipients by region of origin
(geographical) has also changed
from year to year. During HICD
program from 2007-2010, 36% of
scholars were from outside Java.
However, since 2011 this
composition has shifted and there
has been a very sharp increase in
the number of scholars from
outside Java from 36% - 57%,
which means an increase of 28%.
In 2012, that figure increased again
to 68%. The increase in the
number of scholars who reside
outside Java is in line with the focus
of the five Technical Office (TO) of
USAID to give greater attention to
the target areas outside Java and
it is in accordance with the core
1100
GRAFIK 3
PRESTASI Scholars Long
TermTraining – Geographic
Representatives (2007 – 2012)
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY

objectives PRESTASI which want to
give more attention to areas that
are under-represented.
The gender of scholars
continues to fluctuate from
year to year but there are a
number of female recruits - well
above the target of gender
equality required by USAID of
50:50 compositions, i.e., the
period of recruitment in
January - March 2011. Within
four years of the program HICD
in year 2007-2010, total female
scholars were 44% of the
number of selected participants
throughout the program.
However, since the PRESTASI
program held in April 2011 the
trend of the number of women
who received scholarships
showed an increase from the
required target of USAID. From
the results of the HICD
recruitment program in early
2011 the number of female
scholars was 74% that derived
from two dropouts in USAID,
Health and Environment. While
in 2012 the number of female
scholars reached 54% from
recruitment to five DO.
However, this latter figure is
still above 50% percent of the
mandate given by USAID to IIEF
through PRESTASI.
1111
GRAFIK 4
PRESTASI Scholars Long Term
Training – Gender Representatives
(2007 – 2012)

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”
them.
1122
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
OUTREACH AND SELECTION
PRESTASI’s Booth in U.S
Higher Education Fair
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI

This strategy is preceded by
mapping with records and by
conducting preliminary research to
observe any city to be visited. The
IIEF team must move quickly to
perform comprehensive mapping
and to make contact with the
contact person in the area, either
through the local government (LG),
alumni HICD program and other
scholarship programs that have and
are being managed by IIEF and
trustees of the Civil Society
Organization (CSO) or community
organizations in the target areas
defined by five Technical Office (TO)
USAID has prepared budgets for: TO
Education, Democratic Governance,
Economic Growth, Health and
Environment.
Visiting target cities is very
important because the area of
Indonesia is so vast and there is an
inequality of access to information.
People who live in big cities such as
Jakarta and Surabaya certainly
have much easier access to
information than, for example,
people living in Banjarmasin, South
Kalimantan or in Kupang (West
Timor). Due to these conditions the
PRESTASI team presents in
targeted cities so that the potential
field of candidates in all regions
have the same opportunities to
obtain information, along with their
colleagues just as well as those in
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
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
recruit the best undergraduate
applicants in 2013 the PRESTASI
team visited 12 cities from Sumatra
to Papua. In each city the PRESTASI
team visited targeted places such as
universities, offices, NGOs, and local
government.
Presentations in these areas
began in early September 2011 with
Medan as the first location. Overall
the PRESTASI team visited 54
places and events, which totaled
more than 1,000 visitors. Arguably,
presentations in certain areas were
more of a success and the visitors
1133
On-site presentation in Ministry of
National Education Office - South
Sulawesi
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
On-site presentation in Papua
State University (UNIPA)
Manokwari.

were very keen to know more about
the PRESTASI program.
The PRESTASI team gained
many unexpected and impressive
results during the “pick up the ball”
strategy in those areas. One was the
enthusiasm shown by the mass
media in Makassar, the Tribune East.
This paper preached about the
PRESTASI Team in the city.
Complimentary coverage was also
made by Kartika Magazine
(September 2011 issue) and even the
English language edition newspaper
the Jakarta Globe gave free
advertising space for PRESTASI on
September 16, 2011.
Another way IIEF spread the
information regarding PRESTASI
was to participate in Education
exhibitions. In the U.S. Higher
Education Fair held on October 5,
1144
Participants Attended On-Site
Presentation Based on Type of
Employment
NO. VENUE ACTIVITY ADDRESS CITY DATE
1. Fakultas Ekonomi USU Courtesy Call Jln. Prof.T.M. Hanafiah, SH Kampus USU Medan 07-Sep-11
2. Gd. Pengadilan Semu FH USU Presentation Jl. Universitas No 4, Kampus USU Medan 08-Sep-11
3. Univ. Pembangunan Panca Budi Presentation Jl Gatot Subroto Km 4,5 Medan 08-Sep-11
4. Yayasan PKPA Presentation Simpang Selayang Kec. Medan Tuntungan Medan 09-Sep-11
5. YPPIA Presentation Jalan Dr. Mansyur Medan 09-Sep-11
6. BAPPEDA Gorontalo Courtesy Call Jl. Bukit Botu Gorontalo Gorontalo 13-Sep-11
7. Kantor Program Teluk Tomini / SUSCLAM Presentation Jl. Makassar No. 40 Gorontalo 13-Sep-11
8. Pusat Bahasa Univ. Negeri Gorontalo Presentation Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 6 Gorontalo 14-Sep-11
9. Univ. Hasanuddin Presentation Tamalarea Makassar 15-Sep-11
10. UIN Alauddin Presentation Jl Sultan Alauddin Makassar 15-Sep-11
11. Dinas Pendidikan Prov. Sulawesi Selatan Presentation Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Tamalanrea Makassar 16-Sep-11
12. Kantor Koran Fajar Makassar Courtesy Call Gd. Graha Pena Makassar Makassar 16-Sep-11
13. Kerjasama Internasional UNDANA Courtesy Call Hotel Kristal Kupang Kupang 19-Sep-11
14. Kantor Ketua Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang Courtesy Call Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang Kupang 20-Sep-11
15. Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang Presentation Jl. Adisucipto, Penfui Kupang 20-Sep-11
16. Yayasan Bunda Purnama Kasih Presentation Penfui Kupang 20-Sep-11
17. Univ. Nusa Cendana Presentation Jalan Adisucipto Penfui Kupang 21-Sep-11
18. BAPPEDA Provinsi NTB Courtesy Call JL. Flamboyan No. 2 Mataram 22-Sep-11
19. Ruang Pela Perado BAPPEDA Provinsi NTB Presentation JL. Flamboyan No. 2 Mataram 22-Sep-11
20. Kantor Koran Lombok Pos Courtesy Call Jl. Tgh. Faisal No. 33 Mataram 22-Sep-11
21. Univ. Mataram Presentation Jl. Majapahit No. 62 Mataram 23-Sep-11
22. Kantor Pembantu Rektor IV UNIPA Courtesy Call Jl. Gunung Salju Manokwari 26-Sep-11
23. Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Hukum Manokwari Courtesy Call Jalan Karya ABRI No 2 Manokwari 26-Sep-11
24. Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Mah Eisa Courtesy Call Jalan Lembah Hijau Diklat Manokwari 26-Sep-11
25. Kantor Koran Cahaya Papua Courtesy Call Jl. Pertanian Manokwari 26-Sep-11
26. Kantor Koran Media Papua Courtesy Call Jl. Gunung Salju Manokwari 26-Sep-11
27. UPT Pelayanan Bahasa UNIPA Presentation Jl. Gunung Salju Amban Manokwari 27-Sep-11
28. STKIP Muhammadiyah Presentation Jl. S. Condronegoro Manokwari 27-Sep-11
29. Kantor Tribun Institute Presentation Jl. Purnama Pontianak 10-Oct-11
30. BAPPEDA Provinsi Kalbar Courtesy Call Jl. Ahmad Yani Pontianak 11-Oct-11
31. BAPPEDA Provinsi Kalbar Courtesy Call Jl. Ahmad Yani Pontianak 11-Oct-11
32. WWF Pontianak Presentation Jl. Husada Pontianak 11-Oct-11
33. Rektorat Univ. Tanjung Pura Courtesy Call Jl. Ahmad Yani Pontianak 12-Oct-11
34. Univ. Tanjung Pura Presentation Jl. Ahmad Yani Pontianak 12-Oct-11
35. FISIP Univ. Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Presentation Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman Yogyakarta 17-Oct-11
36. Purek III Univ. Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Courtesy Call Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman Yogyakarta 17-Oct-11
37. Biro Kerjasama Internasional UGM Courtesy Call Bulaksumur Yogyakarta 18-Oct-11
38. Balaikota Yogyakarta Presentation Jl. Kenari Yogyakarta 18-Oct-11
39. Lembaga Ombudsman Daerah Presentation Jln. Tentara Pelajar No. 1A Pingit Kidul Yogyakarta 18-Oct-11
40. Fakultas Pertanian UGM Courtesy Call Bulaksumur Yogyakarta 19-Oct-11
41. American Corner Univ. Muhammadiyah Presentation Jl. Lingkar Barat, Tamantirto, Kasihan Yogyakarta 19-Oct-11
42. Rektorat Univ. Syiah Kuala Courtesy Call Darussalam Banda Aceh 20-Oct-11
43. Hotel Hemes Palace Courtesy Call Tgk. Nyak Makam Banda Aceh 20-Oct-11
44. FKIP Univ. Syiah Kuala Presentation Darussalam Banda Aceh 21-Oct-11
45. Aula Kantor Walikota Banda Aceh Presentation Jl. Tgk. Abu Lam U Banda Aceh 21-Oct-11
46. Rektorat Univ. Malikussaleh Courtesy Call Uteun Kot - Cunda Lhokseumawe 22-Oct-11
47. Gedung ACC Univ. Malikussaleh Presentation Uteun Kot - Cunda Lhokseumawe 22-Oct-11
48. Univ. Sebelas Maret Presentation Jl. Ir. Sutami Surakarta 25-Oct-11
49. STAIN Surakarta Presentation Jl. Pandawa Pucangan Kartasura Surakarta 25-Oct-11
50. STAIN Salatiga Presentation Jl. Stadion Salatiga 26-Oct-11
51. International Scholarship and Education Expo Presentation IPB, Dramaga Bogor Bogor 9-Oct-11
52. USAID: 50th Anniversary Presentation @america, Pacific Place Jakarta 12-Oct-11
53. U.S. Higher Education Presentation Hotel Kartika Chandra Jakarta 5-Oct-11
54. Auditorium Balai Pengawasan Obat & Makanan Presentation BPOM Jl. Percetakan Negara Jakarta 29-Oct-11
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
On-Site Presentation Based on Location and Venue

2011 the PRESTASI booth was visit-
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
in, was the EdUSA Spring Fair held
in Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya.
The result of the disclosure of
such information was an
overwhelming response. The
PRESTASI team got 1.305
applications from various parts of
Indonesia, which reflects the enthu-
siasm of Indonesian young people to
achieve advanced education. “It
really illustrates that Indonesia
needs scholarships in large quanti-
ties. The lesson for us in IIEF was
that prospective applicants
attempted to go directly to the face-
to-face presentations to make it
easier for them to dig up as much
information as possible to get a
scholarship out of the country,” said
Mira Sambada.
1155
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
public awareness about the
PRESTASI scholarship program
and to gain public interest in the
program. One of the strategies is
to go to potential remote areas.
A lot of unique things
happened to Wahono Kolopaking,
PRESTASI Outreach and
Selection Specialist, who is
fondly called Nano - when
socializing in these areas. One of
the memories that left a lasting
impression on Nano was when he
visited Aceh with Hanif Saleh,
Contracting Officer’s
Representative (COR) USAID. In
the Tanah Rencong they had an
agenda to socialize in Banda
Aceh and Lhokseumawe.
They were so excited to visit
the two cities. Nano thought that
they could go to Lhokseumawe
having completed the PRESTASI
socialization agenda and return
to Banda Aceh to catch an
afternoon flight that will take
them both back to Jakarta.
However, due to having to
travel a very winding road up and
down hills and several roads
between cities being in bad
condition, plus drizzle during the
SOCIALIZATION COMBINED WITH COWS:
EXPERIENCE IN ACEH
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI

1166
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
OPTIMIZATION OF WEBSITE
AND SOCIAL MEDIA
In the era of the Internet and the
rise of social media in Indonesia
today the dissemination of
information about the program
through cyberspace is important for
the PRESTASI Outreach team to
support face-to-face visits in the
various regions. The PRESTASI
team designed a website and
uploaded allimportant documents in
to the website address at
www.prestasi-iief.org. Every
prospective applicant can access
the application form on the
PRESTASI website.
To be more interactive
PRESTASI also designed a Facebook
Fan Page and Twitter in order to
provide updated information. With
Indonesia’s position as one of the
biggest users of social media in the
world dissemination of information
through a virtual media proved to
be very effective, cheap and fast.
The existence of these two accounts
also contributes significantly to the
spread of information of PRESTASI
program.
Based on data compiled by IIEF,
in the peak period of the
outreach’s implementation, as per
October 25, 2011 it was recorded
trip their rented car could not go
very fast. “If we were at a normal
speed it might be that. Hanif and I
would miss the plane,” Nano said.
Because of that, he whispered to
the driver to drive as fast as pos-
sible so they can get back to
Jakarta that night. As a result, for
about five hours the car drove like
crazy while both passengers
–Nano and Hanif – sat silently and
were busy praying in their heart.
“We do not have time to eat -
just stop for a moment to pray
and then we go directly off again,”
said Nano as he tells how they
hunt the time. Unfortunately the
driver hit the gas very hard and
on the last corner before entering
the city of Banda Aceh a cow sud-
denly appeared and inevitably the
car hit the poor cow. All of the
passengers were shocked and for
a moment could not speak.
Finally the car arrived at the
airport in Banda Aceh, on time,
and they could catch a plane back
to Jakarta that night. Hanif, who
looked a little pale, told Nano,
“Mas Wahono ... please do not be
like this on the next journey ... It’s
better to miss the aircraft rather
than to lose our lives.” Hanif’s
words could only be rewarded
with a smile and an apology from
Nano. In fact, Nano was as
worried as Hanif but at least one
more task from the Outreach
team list was completed. Well
done!
PRESTASI’s Facebook
FOTOOLEH:IIEF-PRESTASI

1177
O
ne interesting story concerned with how
PRESTASI information live in cyberspace
could reach potential candidates in
remote areas of the archipelago was narrated
by David Kuntel, a PRESTASI scholar who was
chosen from the field of Environment from the
2012 recruitment.
David was born in Manado, North Sulawesi
on December 23 1984. After completing his
bachelor degree at Sam Ratulangi University
Faculty of Fisheries (UNSRAT), Manado David
went to work as administrative staff and
assistant for professor at UNSRAT but early in
2009 he decided to join the Local Government
of Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Island, a
new district that split from Sangihe Island in
2007, which is a seven-hour ride boat from
Manado.
Serving on a small island, surrounded by the
Molucca Sea on the east and the Celebes Sea
on the west, with telecommunication signals up
and down did not dampen David’s spirits and he
still managed to hunt for information about
scholarships. David relied on the Internet to
find information about various scholarship pro-
grams, which would enable him to continue his
study to a master’s degree. One day in October
2011 when browsing on his mobile phone David
found information about PRESTASI, “this is the
first info I got from the phone,” said David.
David immediately prepared all of the
required documents and sent them to IIEF in
Jakarta. It turned out that the application
managed to attract the attention of the
selection team and he was invited to attend an
interview session in the Makassar region. David
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!
After passing a series of rigorous selection
criteria David managed to rise above thousands
of other candidates and he became one of the
PRESTASI scholars. “Through PRESTASI I hope
my dream will come true which is to study at
the School of Marine Affairs at the University
of Washington,” says David who is now
following the Pre-Academic Training (PAT) in
Jakarta along with 30 of other scholars who
were recruited in 2012.
PRESTASI FINALLY DROP
IN SIAU TAGULANDANG BIARO
that there were 1.469 active
participants on the PRESTASI
Facebook account and 685
followers on the PRESTASI twitter
account with 300 updates since the
account was launched on June 28,
2011. Until the end of September
2012, PRESTASI Twitter followers
have netted 1.610 and 1.209 Twitter
friends as many as 3.167 people
clicked “like-button” for the
PRESTASI Facebook Fan Page.
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI

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
most PRESTASI scholarship
program awardees have never
travelled abroad. Why is three
plus one given? Here’s the
explanation.
TRAINING AND MONITORING
3399
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Scholars attended English
Language Training seriously

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
TRAINING (ENGLISH FOR
ACADEMIC PURPOSES / EAP)
English Language Training is
very important to improve the
scholarship awardees’ English
language skills so that the scholars
have no significant barriers in
studying and communicating in the
United States. Having the ability to
communicate in English will
certainly make the awardees adapt
more easily to their new
environment and it will make it
easier for them to absorb the
knowledge that they learn.
Why is the English language
training needed? It is related to the
mission of the PRESTASI program
to provide more opportunities for
those who have limited access to
achieve higher education. English
language skills are not the main
criteria for PRESTASI scholarship
awardees but academic
competence, nationalism, as well as
his/her enthusiasm to move forward
and fight for other people are
considered priority. This is what
distinguishes the PRESTASI
program scholarship. However, it
does remain that there is a
minimum requirement of English
language skills; Candidates must
have a TOEFL®ITP score of 450 or
equivalent. “That’s the excellence
of the PRESTASI program. Those
whose English is not good enough
can still submit their application,”
said Wiwin Erikawati, Training and
Monitoring Division Manager of
PRESTASI, who handles the division
with Hafida Meutia, excitedly.
Wiwin said that the students in
eastern part of Indonesia have good
academic potential but their
English is not so good. It may be
caused by the lack of access to
English training. There are not as
many English courses in Papua
there are in Jakarta also they are
very expensive. In fact some
applicants from Papua are excellent
academically and intellectually
smart. “It’s unfair that just because
of their poor English they lose the
opportunity to get the scholarship.
So, this program accommodates
people with limited access,” added
Wiwin.
That is why English debriefing is
definitely needed. “Many
participants are not good at English
so we prepared a particular design
of English briefing. The program is
in line with the participants’ level of
English skills,” she said in IIEF
office in Kuningan, Jakarta.
The PRESTASI participants
were enrolled in English for
Academic Purposes (EAP) for
either a month, four months or six
months at the International
Language Institute University of
Indonesia (LBI-UI) in Salemba,
Central Jakarta. The duration of
the training is in accordance with
the placement test result
conducted by a team of LBI-UI.
The candidates all come from
their respective regions to
Jakarta for the training. They
could be sent to English courses in
their own region too, for example
participants from Makassar could
be enrolled in English Courses in
Makassar and monitored. However,
since the target to be achieved
through the EAP is very specific in
helping scholars improve their
English competency for academic
purposes, IIEF with LBI-UI design a
specific program (tailor made) so
that the target can be achieved
within a maximum period of six
months.
In addition, if the group learns
together there is healthy
competition in the group so the
achievement process can also be
accelerated. Wiwin said, “The
purpose of bringing them all to
Jakarta is to form a system of
positive competition. It is more
costly. We cover not only the cost of
the course, we also provide for their
living costs while in Jakarta.”
It turned out that the goal could
be achieved very effectively. For
example, participants with the
lowest grades at the previous test
were motivated for the course since
they have to compete against the
group. “The arousal of competition
was very interesting. We gather
people with the same mission so
4400
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY

they may compete positively to get
a high score. High scores certainly
have a good impact and they could
find schools more easily,” said
Wiwin about the plus point of the
tailor made programs of EAP IIEF-
LBI UI.
Three Classes
Before the training begins, LBI UI
map the English participants’
competency through preliminary
tests. From this they know where to
place each participant and it
provides a reference for making and
designing the training program, for
the English language skills of each
participant are different.
Sisilia explained that although
there are only a few participants it is
impossible to put them in one group
from the beginning of the training
because of the various levels of their
language skills. Dividing the
participants according to their
competency is much more effective.
“We usually divide them into
three classes. The first class has 120
hours of learning and this is for
4411
IIEFtook International Language Institute University of Indonesia
(LBI-UI) to provide training to USAID PRESTASI awardees
before heading to the United States to gain knowledge. LBI-UI is a language
institution that concentrates on training seven world languages, namely
English, Mandarin, Japanese, French, German, Dutch and Arabic. This
institution was founded and fostered by the alumni of the Faculty of
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
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
and became the partner of IIEF in designing specific programs and
developed a module to learn English for the participants of the PRESTASI
program.
LBI-UI does not want any participants who failed for lack of English
language skills to go to college in America because it can damage their
reputation. “Our commitment is to have as many participants as possible to be
able to achieve the needed requirements to be accepted at a university,” said
Sisilia who specializes in Applied Linguistics for English Language Teaching.
SISILIA SETIAWATI HALIMI, PHD
LLeeccttuurreerr
SSeenniioorr LLeeccttuurreerr DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt ooff EEnngglliisshh LLaanngguuaaggee SSttuuddiieess PPrrooggrraamm aanndd PPoosstt
GGrraadduuaattee LLiinngguuiissttiiccss,, FFIIBB UUII
They Are Taking Learning Very Seriously
English Language Training
conducted intensively everyday
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI

those who already have TOEFL®ITP
500’s. The second class is for 450
hours and is for the average
competency. The third class is for
630 hours for those with a low grade
of TOEFL®ITP, “she said.
According to her the first
class’s training focuses on English
for academic purposes. At this
level the participants are allowed
to take the TOEFL®iBT that will be
submitted as a condition of
enrollment into the target college.
As their language skills are no
longer to be worried about Sisilia
said, “There is special material for
them.” Meanwhile, the two other
classes are more focused on
speaking and writing. “Of course
the material is different, although
the class will eventually be in the
same level.”
Although divided into several
classes the teaching mechanism
which is applied to all levels tends to
be the same, namely communication
language. Sisilia said it is to ensure
that participants do not only learn
about the language but it is also to
ensure that they can use the
language to communicate.
LBI-UI has experience of
4422
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
P
RESTASI Scholarship Awardees also get
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
awardees being traumatized by numbers. Before
flying to the United States the PRESTASI
Scholarship recipients first get a foothold. Besides
money, the most important foothold is non-
material forms of English, Statistics, and
Leadership. The three main materials were
provided through training; each handled by a
different team of trainers and teachers.
For statistical training participants are trained
in the Institute for Research and Community
Service (LPPM) Atma Jaya Catholic University
Jakarta, for three days from morning to evening.
They learn SPSS (Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences). The mentors are Dr. Ir. Heru
Prasadja, M.Sc and Drs. Herry Pramono, M.Sc.
As a lecturer of statistics at the university
since 1985, Heru Prasadja has understood that his
courses were considered frightening for some
students. So when he was in front of the trainees
from PRESTASI, who have a variety of science
backgrounds. Heru was prepared with the
understanding that he had a strategy and that the
Awardees were not afraid of learning statistics.
Heru did not directly teach the science of
statistics but he built on the participants’
motivation to get to know statistics. During the
participants debriefing Heru analogized that
statistical learning is like a boy learning to ride a
bike. At the beginning the child often falls and is
even scolded by his parents. However, with all his
effort the boy can finally ride a bike. “Just like
learning statistics. I motivate them by telling
them that you learn this now for you will need it
and use it later. It is not just about simply passing
a statistics course,” said Heru, who holds a
doctorate in sociology from the University of
Indonesia.
DR. IR. HERU PRASADJA, M.SC
EExxppeerrttss aanndd LLeeccttuurreerrss SSPPSSSS SSttaattiissttiiccss
UUnniikkaa AAttmmaa JJaayyaa,, JJaakkaarrttaa
A Foothold in Working on Numbers

providing language training for
various groups ranging from
government departments, non-
governmental organizations (NGOs),
scholarship recipients who will go
out of the country and so on. For
the group of scholarship recipients
who departed in 2012 this was the
first year for PRESTASI working
with LBI-UI. “My impression for
those who departed in 2012 was
very positive. They seemed very
serious. I believe this selection was
unbelievably good. They learned
seriously. Their potential can be
maximized. Their learning attitude
is very positive with high
motivation,” said Sisilia.
Seeing the seriousness of the
participants Sisilia assumed the
participants were well qualified. She
hopes the participants are able to
complete their studies well then
return to Indonesia to develop and
apply their knowledge. “They’re the
ones who are well-qualified. If they
can contribute their knowledge to
our country it will be a better
country,” said the senior lecturer in
the Department of English Language
Studies Program and Post Graduate
Linguistics, FIB UI.
4433
Besides the motivating touches, Heru and
Herry used the method of “friendship”. The brief-
ing was for participants who didn’t understand
statistics so they approached them by a chat,
which was not directly related to statistics. This
created a good atmosphere in transferring the
science.
“Since the first day I invited them to talk and
tried to encourage them. I do not want to push
them, I am afraid they will be traumatized by
numbers,” he added.
Heru and Herry composed the easy to
understand method of teaching from a variety of
knowledge backgrounds. First they emphasize
understanding the meaning of symbols and
formulas that look complicated then they step up
to numerical problems.
By explaining the meaning of the symbols and
formulas clearly before processing the data, Heru
and his colleagues hope to hone the participants’
logic. Formulas are not considered terrible anymore
but they are recognized as an instrument that
makes research easier. They ensure accurate data
processing. Heru wants students to understand that
statistics can be understood with the right logic and
not just by memorizing formulas and counting.
“Then we discus the method, how to use and how
to process it, so the formulas are proven to ease
the process of our research,” he added.
Did it work? “At least the participants did not
complain and they enjoyed learning the formulas,”
he said, laughing.
At the end of the debriefing Heru was just
amazed. All participants were enthusiastic about
the training from morning to evening. Heru and
Herry were bombarded with a variety of
questions. Starting from questions that required
discussion with the questioner to the questions
that required the basic principles of statistics to
be re-explained. “I was comforted by their
enthusiasm. Perhaps those who haven’t learned
statistics before got a new piece of knowledge,
while the ones have the knowledge could refresh
their memory,” said Heru.
Based on the experience of debriefing in July
2012 Heru suggested the next briefing is better
divided into two classes based on the participants’
competency. The scholarship candidates who
seem to take majors that rely on qualitative
logical thinking such as anthropology should be
better able to understand training method
according to the field. “For some whose majors
are in qualitative studies they are not required to
study statistics. Pity them,” he added.

STATISTICS TRAINING
The second provision the
participants get is statistics
training. The participants are
trained in the Institute for
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
is Heru Prasadja and Herry
Pramono who both wrestle with
statistics day-to-day.
IIEF has a special reason why
the very specific provision needs
to be given to PRESTASI
scholarship awardees. “Statistics is
important to assist them in
researching and in data
processing,” Wiwin explained.
Most importantly statistics
teach a logical way of thinking. It’s
clearly fundamental since they will
have to be able to produce
scientific papers and the real work
is built on correct and appropriate
reasoning.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
The next provision is leadership
training. Unlike the EAP, which took
six months, the training was held
for one night and two days in
D’Agape Residence, in Ciawi, Bogor,
West Java, in early December 2011.
For this leadership training IIEF
worked in cooperation with PT
Daya Insani (www.dayainsani.com),
a training provider that has the
expertise and experience in
leadership training including the
training of human resources who
will continue their studies to a
higher level both domestically and
abroad. The company which is
managed by a couple of
psychologists, alumnus of the
University of Indonesia (UI), Sri
Hastari Biran and Zainul Biran is
engaged in the field of services to
help organizations and individuals
to identify, uncover, develop and
optimize the potential of the
individual in the workplace and in
social daily life.
For one night and two days the
PRESTASI participants, who are all
from different backgrounds and
regions - Jakarta, Jambi, Papua,
Central Java, East Java, and others
- do various activities as a group
that can reveal the character and
the potential of each person.
“During the leadership training
their personalities come out. For
4444
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Hand stamps and Expectations
of scholars
Christian, Rina and Since actively
involved in in-door activity in
Leadership Training

example, A who seems calm turns out
to be very ambitious. There are
games in the course, which shows
that A justified the means for
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
them feel equal so after the
leadership training no one looks
down on other people or otherwise
assumes others are higher.
Togetherness was successfully
created during the leadership
training,” said Wiwin.
4455
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Out-door activity to foster
cooperation in team
Cooperation of a team in an
out-door activity

F
or the leadership training for the PRESTASI
participants IIEF works in cooperation with PT
Daya Insani, which has much experience in this
field.
“At the beginning of training we invite participants
to sing Indonesia Raya in order that they have a sense
of responsibility for the country,” said Director of PT
Daya Insani, Sri Hastari Z Biran as she talks about the
training process that lasts for two days and one night.
It is not without reason that the opening of
training starts with the national anthem. In many
cases people go abroad to study but then they do not
return home. Some return home but bring their life
from abroad home too so they lose Indonesia.
Therefore this training, she said, meant that the
Indonesian people should have a commitment to
Indonesia. The process towards the realization is done
with the various training activities that seem “trivial”.
For instance, there is a rule requiring all participants
turn off their cellular phone during activity sessions
and there is the rule that participants should be on
time. The rule raises pros and cons among the
participants. There were participants who protested
and there were participants
that accepted the rules.
When the session
started on time there were
some participants who were
not already in the place. The
session was postponed until
all participants were
present. This method also
caused debate among
participants. From the spontaneous reactions from the
participants the coaches of Daya Insani gain input on
the character or nature of each participant. Then the
trainer asked participants to take time to self-reflect
on their attitudes.
An understanding of the personal character of
each is also obtained by using some short tests. “I’m
oh so, so ... my friend,” the UI Psychology alumnus
described the reaction of the participants after taking
the test, and an explanation of the meaning of the
test.
Awareness of self-character and leadership
abilities and togetherness were also built through
various activities or
simulations. One is through
the sharing of the work
environment or the
bureaucracy of each and
their role in that
environment. This type of
sharing can help to reflect
the role they should contribute to create a better
environment.
Leadership and a sense of togetherness were
raised and built through games that seemed trivial.
Through outbound activities such as a number of
outdoor games participants are invited to reflect on
the meaning of that game.
The core lesson of the game is that if you
succeeded in solving the problem alone you can be
successful but you sacrifice your friends. You
succeeded but others did not. So inevitably you have
to succeed together. The Awardees must decide how
to succeed together. That’s what makes the games
contrary to their ego. Some think that if they are
successful together with others then their success is
4466
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
DRA. SRI HASTARI Z. BIRAN - Direktur PT Daya Insani
Revealing the Real Character, Forging Unity
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Reflection session

only 50 percent. In fact they want to success
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
has its advantages and each has its drawbacks. If they
can complete one another they will be stronger,” said
the experienced practitioner in Human Resource
Management (HRM).
At night there was a ‘watch together’ session. The
committee played a documentary film about Indonesian
nature without text or narration. The committee did not
mention what the title of the movie was or where it
was set. The documentary showed the scenery at Lake
Toba, natural beauty at Kelok. Ampek Puluah Ampek,
the romantic Ngarai Sianok, the famous underwater
Bunaken, the fascinating stretch of Raja Ampat
archipelago and even more beautiful places. But, no
kidding, no participant knew the places. Halloooo ... it’s
Indonesia! “Oh, Indonesia!? There are so beautiful
places, aren’t there?” Some participants exclaimed
surprised. Of the many participants there was only one
person who called a location correctly. She also
hesitated.
According to Sri, Daya Insani they play this movie
to remind them of Indonesia and to remind them that
they have a responsibility to this country. There are
social problems, cultural problems and so many other
problems that must be solved. “Hopefully they will be
involved in the process. They can make something
useful. So we remind them that we are the people of
Indonesia. That’s the goal. We are Indonesian. Do your
best for this nation.”
Then there was a discussion that the trainer
opened with a touching story from his heart. “You are
to be schooled abroad but do not bring back here all
the forces from there. We are here and we do not want
to lose our Indonesia.”
At the opening the participants were reluctantly
singing Indonesia Raya but not this time. All were
singing heartily, full appreciation and full of love. The
participants could not control their emotions and were
hugging one another tearfully. The trainer of Daya
Insani couldn’t help crying they were all in tears. They
were all emotional and in love with Indonesia.
In this emotional situation, Cultural Observer M.
Sobari, one of the guest speakers in the training
expressed his annoyance at the people who had
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
characters. “But at least we can help them to be able
to study there,” said Sri, who had served as a HR
manager in a clinical laboratory that has more than 50
branches spread across various places in Indonesia.
It is expected that after the training the
participants will keep in touch with each other. While in
America they are usually on their own as they are
spread over various campuses and cities. If they keep
in touch, they will never feel alone. They can talk to
each other and if there is a problem there will be a
friend who is willing to help.
Before leaving Ciawi participants wrote their plan on
a piece of paper. As a leader what they will do? What
will you do after studying in the United States? The
paper is collected and stored by IIEF. When they come
home they are reminded of their initial intentions. Do
they still remember their intention? Change is fine, as
long as it is for his own good, other people and their
environment. “Hopefully, when they get back here it is
to refresh and to remind them that now they’re home
they should recall the first intentions that they made
before leaving the country,” said Sri.
4477
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
A qualified psychologist

EVALUATION: INDUCTION IS SO
MEANINGFUL
An important induction is given
to the PRESTASI scholarship
recipients. But how does the
induction benefit them?
Opinions, attitudes and
suggestions from the participants
are very important for IIEF. IIEF can
find out if the services that they
provide are in accordance with the
needs of the participants before
they jump on the new campuses
both in the U.S. and in Indonesia.
For that purpose a team from
IIEF led by Devi Miarni Umar, a
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
from PRESTASI have designed 20
questions with closed and open
systems to all debriefing
participants to evaluate the
meaning, function and impact of
these supplies. The closed questions
were regarding the material being
taught, mentors, training facilities
and so on including the level of their
acceptance. The questions are
multiple-choice ranging from very
good to bad, from very satisfactory
to not satisfactory at all, from
useful to useless.
Open questions are related to a
number of issues regarding the
implementation of the debriefing
and especially suggestions.
Participants are free to deliver their
opinions and comments here.
“Ideally to evaluate or assess an
activity we should have a baseline.
Unfortunately PRESTASI does not
have baseline information from
previous programs that could be
used as a reference against which to
review the impact of an intervention
at the end of the activity. Therefore,
to work around this the team and I
at IIEF designed tools to measure
the impact with the use of
quantitative and qualitative
methods to approach retrospective
and current situations,” said Devi
about the tools used to evaluate the
scholars. This approach allowed IIEF
team to dig up information before
and after the intervention by IIEF
through a series of activities
prepared for the scholars.
From the results of the
evaluation of the induction
participants, Devi concluded the
following:
Training or induction provides an
opportunity for the PRESTASI
scholarship awardees to improve
their knowledge and skills in the
fields of academics, leadership
and writing.
In terms of training time and the
number of participants they
consider their ratios to be
adequate, although some found
that the statistical training time
was too short. “Statistical
learning materials aim to teach
too much for just three days,” –
this was the feedback taken from
one of the course participants.
When appraising the series of
training arrangements in place
the awardees think it’s already
good, particularly in terms of
materials and schedules. They
think it’s managed very well.
The materials used were
considered important to support
the training, while the handouts
used were considered to be good
quality and relevant. The facilities
were also considered to be
appropriate and in accordance
with the activities session.
The classroom environment is
very supportive of the
participants learning especially
for English training sessions and
leadership. One participant
wrote, “The class was able to
help me to be actively involved in
every session of activities.”
The facilitators at the
International Language Institute
- University of Indonesia (LBI-UI),
University of Atma Jaya and PT
Daya Insani were thought to be
experts in their field, well
prepared, well organized,
responsive to participants, and
with capabilities to create an
atmosphere of learning and have
the appropriate ways of teaching.
The training participants
proposed additional time for
statistics training and leadership
as well as more time for
preparation for TOEFL®iBT than
TOEFL®ITP.
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PRESTASI:
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Here is a summary of the views
of some student candidates after
attending English Language,
Statistics and Leadership Training.
These comments come from the
written evaluations submitted by
induction participants. Some
entries submitted by the scholars
will certainly be used by IIEF in
designing future programs. Here
are some excerpts of their
comments:
“Induction really helped me in
preparing to continue my study in
the United States,” wrote one
participant.
“English Training really helped
me in improving my English skills.
While statistical training would be
better held after the English course
was completed in order to make
our brains fresh” said a recipient of
PRESTASI scholarship.
“The time for statistical training
is too short, so we do not have
enough time to understand the
material,” said another participant.
“I got a lot of capacity building
from the induction. It increased my
confidence,” wrote a third
participant.
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
Besides getting English,
statistical science, and leadership
training PRESTASI scholarship
recipients still need to get another
induction before they enter college
in the United States. The induction
is in the form of self-readiness -
anything needed to support their
studies running smoothly. The
induction was obtained through
activities during the three days
named Pre-Departure Orientation
(PDO).
During this event the PRESTASI
scholars, from various regions in
Indonesia, gathered in Jakarta. In
this PDO activity the participants
are given various information about
the role of IIEF and IIE; latest
developments regarding the
PRESTASI program; the terms and
conditions of the contract of
PRESTASI recipients with USAID; a
list of needs before departure;
information regarding their
management of their time, etc. With
such a comprehensive induction the
participants are expected to be
ready to leave with no issues left
uncovered.
“This orientation is intended to
explain in detail about the role of
the stakeholders that are useful for
the PRESTASI recipients to
understand their roles and
responsibilities during their study
period in the USA. This activity is
an invaluable session, which also
involves sharing the experience of
the alumni as well as realizing the
need for self-management skills in
the USA,” explained Mira Sambada.
The three-day event was varied
and dynamic. The participants were
sometimes fed up but they mostly
listened seriously to the facilitators
for they felt that all the material
presented were useful for their
readiness to arrive and settle into
the United States of America.
4499
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Theophanny Rampisela shared
experiences and stories while in U.S.

“This induction provides
comprehensive information about
what to do before, during, and after
studying in the United States,”
commented a participant through
an evaluation sheet. “All the
materials delivered (the facilitators)
are new to me, and very helpful,”
said another participant, “Induction
gives a lot of information before we
leave for the USA.”
Amongst the briefing material
deemed relevant to their needs
there is technical information on
various things allowed and
forbidden in the USA and the
regulations regarding USA
immigration. IIEF has prepared
various types of relevants materials
for participants but some want
additional material about cultural
shock, credit systems and
universities grading systems in the
United States. Therefore some
people suggested that there was a,
“Need to add another night to the
orientation.”
Another thing that is very
useful for the participants in the
PDO is a meeting with fellow
PRESTASI scholarship recipients.
They feel there are similarities of
“fate” that make them united. “It
was great being able to meet up
with fellow scholarship recipients
who will get the same experience,”
said one participant.
Overall, based on the evaluation
results, which the participants
delivered, the participants were
extremely satisfied with the
activities of the PDO. They were
satisfied with the material
presented and they also gave the
thumbs up to the facilitators that
they thought were excellent.
The PDO induction makes them
become more confident to go, stay,
and struggled with the course
material in the United States. “This
event makes me able to prepare all
the things needed to study abroad,”
said a PRESTASI awardee.
FROM THE DEPARTURE
TO TAKING PART
While the PRESTASI recipients
are taking the induction, the
Training and Monitoring Division of
PRESTASI are struggling with the
following matters; preparing all
their needs and documents etc.
until they are completed and ready
to go. Communication with IIEF
partners in Washington DC during
the pre departure stage is
intensified.
One of the most important
things is to get information from IIE
about colleges that most deserves
the recipients. They certainly need
to know the requirements in detail
to facilitate their registration.
Having completed the induction
it was time for the scholarship
recipients to choose colleges, and
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PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
Briefing on the general
information and picture of the
life and education in U.S.
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI

to fill out the application, which the
details of requirements had been
prepared by the PRESTASI IIEF. The
applications were then sent to the
United States. Then there is a
waiting stage, waiting for
information from the U.S. about who
has been offered an acceptance and
who has not been offered an
acceptance.
Participants who do not pass
generally do so because they chose
excellent campuses, or their
TOEFL®ITP score is not enough. An
excellent campus usually requires
the equivalent score of TOEFL®ITP
of around 580. But their
TOEFL®ITP score were only 500 so
automatically they have a limited
choice. “The participants who are
not accepted by their chosen
college have not failed – they will
just have to take additional English
classes in the U.S. or choose
another campus. That’s why we
always remind participants at the
beginning that if they are good at
English, they will automatically
have more choices,” said Wiwin of
the Division of Training and
Monitoring of PRESTASI.
Another obstacle, according to
Wiwin, is that sometimes scholars
are selected for colleges chosen by
the IIEF team and actually the
scholar wants to go somewhere
different. If this is not
communicated until late in the
process it becomes a difficult
problem with the deadlines
looming. Addressing the same
issue, Wiwin claimed to be careful in
making him/her understand.
“Simply this,” Wiwin pointed out, “if
you’re good at TOEFL®iBT you
have many school choices. And vice
versa. In principle scholars should
also measure their own capacity.
But basically this program allows
them to apply to any possible
college.”
The next obstacle is related to
the funding. Popular schools are
usually very expensive. On the
other hand this scholarship has
tuition cap (maximum tuition fees
can be paid by USAID). That’s why
the university tuition chosen by
scholars must comply with donor
funding capability.
There are many ways to Rome.
There is always a way out. Having
experience and good networking in
the United States, the IIEF and the
IIE sometimes register scholars
with additional scholarships. This is
because almost all universities have
scholarship programs. There can
be a kind of cost sharing to cover
the cost margin of university with
the funding cap by the donor. “For
example, if tuition at the college
was $ 50,000 they are given a $
10,000 discount which is really
good. That’s one of the things that
we can do - It’s one of the ways.
From the data IIEF recorded
approximately 56% of PRESTASI
scholars obtained cost sharing from
the universities,” said the traveling
and enthusiastic woman who has
visited many countries.
For her, the success of
dispatching and placing
participants according to their own
choice of campus has its own
happiness. “Many participants have
entered prestigious schools in the
United States such as John Hopkins
University, Duke University,
University of California Los Angeles
(UCLA) and UC Davis. Even one of
our participants qualified for Yale
University - one of the American
universities that fall into the Ivy
League. Due to our team, both in
Jakarta and in Washington DC, we
always try to prepare scholars to be
able to compete at a global level
and get the best results,” said
Wiwin.
For the participants themselves
who have also worked hard and who
take the whole program prepared
by the team of PRESTASI very
seriously - it is certainly a good
fortune. In their next curriculum
vitae they will be noted as USAID
PRESTASI and the great campuses’
scholarship awardees.
Wiwin shared with us the secret
recipe of IIEF, which is why many
PRESTASI participants received
scholarships at prestigious
campuses in America. With
experience of dealing with the
5511

scholarship program for more than
20 years IIEF is well aware of a few
things that attract the attention of
the leading campuses when they
are reading applicants’ essays.
Essay writing is one of the most
important application processes.
Training in essay writing for the
participants before leaving is very
useful. EAP participants were also
trained to write essays in English.
“Through the program modules
that we have designed with LBI-UI,
we train scholars to prepare essays,
although the application process
may be done there (America). We
review their essays here. Well, a
good essay is one of those
provisions to enter the top campus
there,” said Wiwin again.
Having placed each awardee at a
college either in the United States or
in Indonesia the next task of IIEF
team was to dispatch the scholars.
For those studying in the United
States the departure is usually
conducted in August before the
semester starts. For about two years
they will study in the country (U.S.).
However, the IIEF task is not
automatically completed after the
participants finish their study
periods in the USA or Indonesia.
There are still other important
tasks such as monitoring the
development of each grantee’s
study. This task is very important
to know the constraints faced by
each student and then to take steps
to address them so that each
grantee can study well and on
schedule.
Endah Tri Kurnawaty, while
studying at Indiana University
proposed to get the additional
Academic Writing Skills to the
PRESTASI scholarship program. “I
was asked to write a brief proposal
and sent it via email and the
proposal was accepted,” she said.
Nia, the nickname of Endah Tri
Kurniawaty, then took a class in
academic writing skills outside of
the regular class schedule. The
entire cost of the course was fully
funded by the PRESTASI
scholarship program
administrators. “I was greatly
supported by the program, as I
often have to submit my work in
writing,” she explained.
Not only that but as the subject
field studied by Nia required
additional charges she submitted
additional fund proposals in order to
attend the courses. The proposals
were accepted. “I think at that time
I could give a good reason, so my
request was granted,” she said.
Baryanto had another similar
story. When he was in a period of
studying at the University of Gajah
Mada there were representatives of
the AED (Academy for Educational
Development) who met with him to
ask if he was having difficulty in
taking his scholarship program.
“Even the staff of the AED asked
me whether I was active in my
college and asked for my grades
from the rector’s office,” he said.
Although Baryanto doesn’t have
difficulties during his study he
considered it was a form of very
good monitoring to find out if
students were having problems in
their learning process.
Also be Seen on Campus
The task of monitoring in the
United States is carried out by a
team from PRESTASI IIEF partners
based in Washington DC, Institute
of International Education (IIE). The
IIE-PRESTASI team directly saw
that PRESTASI students were
enrolled at campuses in the USA.
One example is PRESTASI students
at Saint Louis University (SLU) and
the University of Missouri, Saint
Louis, in the State of Missouri. At
that time, there were four students
taking studies at the Faculty of
Public Health (School of Public
Health) at SLU.
According to Rachael Fellabaum
one of the IIE-PRESTASI Program
Officers the four students were
close to one another. In fact there
were two students who were late
for about two months due to
delayed visas. However, two
students who had already been in
SLU welcomed the two students
and introduced them to the town
and campus. The warm welcome
made the new students comfortable
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PRESTASI:
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and helped them in adapting to the
new environment and made their
relationship closer.
When Fellabaum met the
PRESTASI students she felt the
same hospitality as she got before
via telephone and email. However,
when meeting them directly she
could know more about the
development of each student and
their ability to conduct themselves
in areas where they attended school.
From these encounters
Fellabaum was very impressed not
only by the familiarity between
PRESTASI students at SLU but also
by their activities in the School of
Public Health and in their
communities. Fellabaum got the
information from the faculty that
each PRESTASI student had
contributed valuable knowledge to
their classmates about the
information and typical viewpoints
of Indonesia. The PRESTASI
students, said faculty members,
also showed willingness to
understand America, as well as a
sincere wish to share about their
culture and traditions to the people
they met in Saint Louis.
Their hospitality was also shown
to Fellabaum when they invited her
to come to their apartment. She
got treats of typical foods from
Indonesia plus typical candied
sweets of Saint Louis. That night
they had a party filled with life
stories and stories of their cultural
background and the Indonesian
National Anthem was sung
solemnly. The memorable night
showed the close relationship
between staff and PRESTASI
students.
As a member of staff at IIE-
PRESTASI, Rachael Fellabaum felt
very fortunate to be able to witness
the development of each student of
PRESTASI during their study in the
USA. Most of the students thought
Fellabaum did not realize that they
had changed after two years of
living and studying outside of
Indonesia. They have turned into
more independent people, self-
confident, attentive, knowledgeable,
and focused on their future.
Fellabaum also said, “We
sincerely hope the scholars will
continue to grow and develop after
their return to Indonesia. Surely they
will face the challenges of their
future but we hope their experience
during their stay in the USA will be
able to assist them in meeting these
challenges in a creative and critical
way. In addition, we also expect them
to share the knowledge and
experience to the work environment
and their community. Once they are
back in Indonesia with their advanced
skills, we hope they will re-enter the
work environment and their
community by upholding the values
of lifelong learning. Every experience
they have is an opportunity to grow
and develop. By keeping on learning
along their life the PRESTASI
scholars will definitely achieve
extraordinary success as individuals,
as professionals and as citizens.”
Towards the end of the
semester the PRESTASI scholarship
recipients who have graduated
gathered at IIE offices in
Washington DC to participate in a
Re-Entry Workshop. This workshop
provides an opportunity for them to
reflect on the experience and
describe achievements and plan to
apply their knowledge and skills.
This meeting is also a great
opportunity for them to develop a
network and to celebrate the
outstanding achievements that
they have achieved.
Before they come to the
workshop they have been told in
5533
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Lindsay Hillenberg visits Tyas at
Florida Atlantic University

advance that they should bring a
hat and shirt or graduation toga.
Having finished the workshop
sessions, wearing a toga, they pose
together in front of the Presidential
Office of the USA, The White House.
Of course this photo action along
with the toga, in front of the White
House attracts the attention of
tourists visiting the place. Some
tourists even ask students to
explain where they came from.
They also asked the scholars to
explain PRESTASI program, what
they have achieved and their plans
for the future.
Keep in Touch
Another task to be done after
the scholarship recipients complete
their studies is the welcoming back
of the PRESTASI alumni’s in to the
country and to report their arrival
to USAID sponsor.
The process of returning usually
has no significant obstacles. No one
was missing or did not want to go
home as the program does require
them to return home at the end.
Moreover, their visas are only for
one single entry to the USA so the
validity period of their visa expires
on the day that they leave
There is a funny story related to
this visa deadline. There are some
universities that hold graduation
ceremonies after the scholarship
recipients’ visas have expired.
Surely they could not wait for
graduation ceremony because their
visas had already expired. They
certainly couldn’t come to the
graduation because they have to go
back to their country. Well, they are
just preposterous. So that there is a
keepsake, the PRESTASI
scholarship recipients held their
own graduation.
Having returned to their
homeland and back to their
respective working environments
they still keep in touch with IIE.
The relationship was developed
through joint work plans, through
the organization of alumni
PRESTASI called Alumni
Association PRESTASI–HICD
America Indonesia (ALPHA-I). This
is one of the advantages of the
PRESTASI program, which other
scholarship agencies do not
possess
“Because our binding feeling is
not only when departing but also
after returning home. At least the
relationship is still maintained. If we
have a project in an area, we have
people to help with the project,”
said Wiwin about the importance of
the alumni organization.
PRESTASI Staff hope that the
graduates will continue to grow as
mature people in the future. They
all have great potential to grow as a
leader in the workplace and their
communities. PRESTASI staff wants
to keep on providing support and
guidance to equip them with a
completeness they need to become
successful members of society and
care.
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PRESTASI:
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FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Rachael Fellabaum meets Bernie
at University of Nebraska

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
environment. In spite of returning
home and serve to their respective
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
the public at large.
The idea of an alumni association
has been initiated by USAID and the
Academy for Educational Development
(AED), previously in charge of the
program implementers of HICD
program. On receiving the PRESTASI
program in May 2012, IIEF knew that
USAID and AED had established a
team of alumni as a result of the first
alumni meeting attended by about 61
alumni in February 2012, organized by
AED. In the meeting, Boediono
Darsono was elected as chairman of
the Formation Team (representing the
Development Objective Team/DOT
Economic Growth), Silvy Andika Sari
5555
Alumni meeting to prepare the
establishment of ALPHA-I
Seriously formulate the
concept of Alumni Association
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION,
ACTING PLACE WHILE BACK

(Education) as a secretary and three
members of the formation: Jatmiko
Wahyu Nugroho Joshua (Democratic
Governance), Ni Ketut Susilarini
(Health) and Rosmala Daud
(Environment).
To follow the formation of an
alumni organization, Chief of Party
(COP) PRESTASI Mira Sambada and
her deputy, Deputy Chief of Party
(DCOP) Lensi Mursida held an initial
meeting with the formation team,
followed by a series of meetings
involving some of the alumni who
graduated under the program HICD as
well as with PRESTASI.
Initially IIEF was doubtful as to
whether an alumnus association could
be formed and whether there were
alumni who will take the time to take
care of the organization because the
alumnus is generally busy with their
mounting activities after returning
home to Indonesia. The same doubts
were owned by some of the alumni
when told about the plan to form an
organization of alumni, some even
worried about if their activities in the
alumni associations could hamper their
careers in the office.
But, after going through some
intense meetings and discussions with
alumni, IIEF and the alumni finally
agreed to hold the second National
Alumni Meeting in March 2012, in
which IIEF acted as a facilitator of the
meeting and was responsible for the
logistics and administration, while the
Alumni Steering Committee formed a
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
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
discussed intensively. Preceded by a
small working team consisting of about
ten alumni - who were in charge of
preparing the national alumni
gathering - and supported by IIEF and
USAID, the event, called National
Alumni Gathering, was held at Cemara
Hotel, Jakarta, on March 2 to 4, 2012.
It was attended by as many as 61
people from various parts of the
country. The alumni gathering
atmosphere was so alive and full of
spirit. Three short days but three
historic days. An agreement was
reached to name their organization the
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PRESTASI:
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FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
Joshua dan Sylvi are having
a discussion
Glenn E Anders, USAID
Indonesia Mission Director

ALPHA-I, which stands for the
Association of Alumni PRESTASI -
HICD America Indonesia.
As well as the name of the
organization being agreed the alumni
meeting also selected three people to
form a “working cabinet” for ALPHA-I.
The three figure were Akhmad Safik,
an alumnus of the School of Law,
University of Washington, who teaches
at the University of Al-Azhar, Jakarta,
as Chairman; Zaenal Arifin, an alumnus
of the University of Pittsburgh School
of Public Policy, who works at
Bappenas, the Secretary-General; and
Novi Anggriani, short-term training
program alumnus who works at The
Asia Foundation as Treasurer.
Safik was called to actively initiate
the life of ALPHA-I because they feel
that it is proper that PRESTASI Alumni
should do things together - as they
have been facilitated in the scholarship
program. If done individually it will be
less effective. With this organization,
and with Safik as chairman of the
ALPHA-I he hopes that the alumni can
do something meaningful for Indonesia.
It is one of the intellectual
responsibilities to be properly
managed.
The secretary general Zaenal Arifin
had the same recollection as the
chairman. “It’s a mean of exploration
and an appropriate organization for our
souls,” said the BAPPENAS employee.
Safik, Ary, and Novi moved quickly to
carry out the mandate, which they hold.
Just a few weeks later they managed to
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 26-
27 May 2012 at the Hotel Bluesky
Pandurata Jakarta. In this event
statutes, systems and the completeness
of work organization of ALPHA-I were
formulated as well as the work plan for
the year.
The work program, said Safik, was
made with measurable impact.
ALPHA-I plan to, at least once a year,
hold an international event, several
events nationwide and some of the
routine events on a smaller scale. The
focus of the work program is in the
areas of health, economic growth,
environment, education and the
strengthening of democracy and good
governance. Safik hopes that ALPHA-I
will develop programs that are able to
contribute to a vision of ‘Re-inventing
Indonesia’ and to build a new
Indonesia.
Having agreed the work program
the board is moving quickly to
implement it. One of their inaugural
programs is ‘Climate Change Goes To
5577
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
USAID and IIEF Representatives receive
book titled “Indonesia Optimis” from Alumni
To vote, to elect a leader

School’, specifically for Jakarta and its
surrounding areas. These activities
include: first, a writing contest with the
same theme for all of the students,
secondly, interactive discussion on the
radio to discuss climate change from
the perspective of health, education
and the environment published by KBR
68H Radio and relayed by the 50 radio
networks in KBR 68H throughout
Indonesia, third, interactive
discussions, experience sharing, and
seeing a movie concerning climate
change together. The campaign against
climate change is rallied through the
song with Bingo Band, which will
hopefully establish a youth community
who are aware of climate change.
According to Safik the activities
are aimed to provide insight for the
high school students about climate
change and they are expected to
change their behavior patterns with
respect to the environment.
The series premiere ALPHA-I
program was held. The writing contest
began on July 2012 and ended on 17
September 2012. Interactive dialogue
on the radio was already held on
August 14, 2012 in collaboration with
Green Radio Jakarta. While interactive
discussion was held on 4 September
2012 at @america, Pasific Place
Jakarta.
The realization of the next program
is a workshop on the preparation of
local budgets that are participatory.
Through this activity they want to
transmit an understanding that good
governance and clean environments
require active involvement of
communities in development planning
and budgeting. The workshop was held
in Banda Aceh, September 2012.
Workshop participants were young
people, especially university students,
along with local community leaders,
journalists, NGOs and local
government officials.
ALPHA-I stepped up pretty quickly.
Born just a few months ago it has
made concrete steps. And the next
steps to be taken have been arranged,
- all of which are just merely for the
sake of many people, for a better
Indonesia. Starting from something
small and done with joy. “I am always
glad to do good things for other
people,” said Zaenal Arifin.
5588
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
Voting Result The elected board forms a cabinet
of ALPHA-I
Mira Sambada, COP PRESTASI pinned ‘a pin’ to the
Secretary General of ALPHA-I in its first Rakernas
Bingo Band in ‘Climate Change
Goes To School’ activity
Interactive discussion on Climate
Change for youth
Workshop on participatory budgeting
in Banda Aceh
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI
FOTO:IIEF-PRESTASI

AGUS YUDI WICAKSONO
MMaasstteerr iinn PPuubblliicc PPoolliiccyy,, MMiicchhiiggaann SSttaattee UUnniivveerrssiittyy,, EEaasstt LLaannssiinngg
SSttaaffff aatt tthhee CCeenntteerr ffoorr SSttrraatteeggiicc PPoolliiccyy SSttuuddiieess,, MMiinniissttrryy ooff HHoommee AAffffaaiirrss
Reflecting on Connecticut Sidewalks
5599
ALUMNI GAIT
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
school period in the United States
make him amazed at the country’s
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.
When 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
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
perpendicular to the curb so that
motorcycles cannot pass. In the U.S., it
FOTO:BODICHANDRA/IIEF-PRESTASI
An asset in Ministry
of Home Affairs

is made to decline so that people in
wheelchairs can go down without any
help,” told the second of four brothers.
Since then he began photographing
the pavements on various roads in the
United States to be a collection. For
him the pavement becomes a mirror of
how the government functions in
terms of community service. “I utterly
felt it was a public service,” said the
graduate of Michigan State University.
The sidewalk gave him the
inspiration and self-confidence that his
position as a civil servant is serving a
public function. “If our principle is
service, serve it well,” he said with a
serious face. Yudi, was known in the
neighborhood as a very serious
person. Once, when received as a civil
servant, the father of two children did
have the principle of serving in doing
his tasks. The implementation, said
Yudi, is not only serving the
community but also have to make
coworkers comfortable when serving
one another.
Fortunate after Frustration
Yudi got information about the
PRESTASI program when the
program was called FORECAST -
HICD - when he took an English
course at the Central Administration
of International Cooperation,
Ministry of Home Affairs. At that
time he was frustrated because his
desire to continue his education was
tumbled by the education system’s
mechanism in Indonesia, including
information on scholarships in the
country are closed. Thus, civil
servants like him can only hope for
the ‘goodness’ of information from
the International Cooperation
Administration Center.
The second obstacle he faced, as
the Government High School
graduates in the State (STPDN),
Jatinangor, he just got D4 (diploma
4). “For S2 (master), I must take the
S1 (bachelor),” he said. However, after
a team from the Academy for
Educational Development (AED), the
contractor HICD program, verified to
STPDN and finally obtained an
explanation, despite STPDN being D4
the number of credits (semester
credit system) required by STPDN is
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY
Sidewalks in Michigan
that interest Yudi
FOTO:PERSONALDOCUMENTATION

equivalent to S1 and Yudi finally went
through.
When registering for PRESTASI
Yudi found it difficult to qualify. His
TOEFL®ITP score was only 463, much
lower of the requirements for
placement at a university in the land of
Uncle Sam, which requires 550.
“Perhaps the reviewer saw my resolve,”
he thought. Due to his strong will Yudi
continued and he participated in a
‘debate’ in front of six reviewers. “I’ve
been like a vent, explaining my anxiety
about the service and why I want to
learn in the United States,” he said.
His sincerity to re-learn was costly
as when he had to go to America his
wife was pregnant. “It’s hard for me to
leave my wife,” he said.
Arriving in the United States was
also not easy for Yudi as the United
States was the first foreign country he
had visited. He had many difficulties.
For example, although his TOEFL®ITP
score was already qualified 550 Yudi
was still not good at writing so he had
to take English classes in the morning
and in the evenings - for an entire
semester he could take one subject
only. “Oh, I was depressed,” he said. In
the classroom he could not respond to
the ongoing discussions. “Sometimes I
feel that my work was well written but
my professor did not understand what
I wrote,” he recalled, laughing.
His confidence appeared after two
semesters in the U.S.. He began
actively participating in the
discussions. Even in the class he
became an unofficial resource for
undergraduate students at Michigan
State University about the history of
Indonesia in the subject of Indonesian
Politics and Moslems (Indonesia and
Muslim Politics).
His unyielding spirit enabled him to
overcome challenges gradually. Having
succeeded in finding ‘the light’ at the
campus he also enlightened us about
where he lived which was fairly far
away from the campus, especially he
had to go home in the evening. “It was
easy to find transport but I had to
concentrate on where I was going,” he
said. He had only three days of
preparation prior to arriving in
America.
Although there were four seasons,
Yudi had no problem with the change
of weather in the country. Because, he
said, he was familiar with the heat and
cold temperatures from his childhood
in Papua. “Wamena was bitterly cold,
Abepura was hot. It was not so
different,” said Yudi, who spent his
childhood until his high school in
Papua.
The problem he had was when he
lived in a university apartment for the
second half of his stay. “Once the
heating was turned off I finally learned
to use heating blankets,” he said,
laughing.
Once back in Indonesia Yudi
became a mainstay of his office in the
Central of Strategic Policy Studies,
Ministry of Home Affairs. Yudi has to
analyze the policy quickly for
consideration and report to the
Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan
Fauzi. The report should be brief and
clear. “Top management do not have
time to read long reports so they
should be clear and concise,” said
Public Policy graduate of Michigan
State University.
Yudi applies two approaches in
analyzing. The first is the qualitative
provision of STPDN. The second is
quantitative analyzing - a
characteristic he learned at his U.S.
College. “I used to read the data and
quantify the phenomenon and then
explain it in a qualitative way,” he said.
For example, he said, when the data
from the Central Statistics Agency
(BPS) gives figures for the number of
high school teachers in 2004 and says
that the number decreased in 2009 by
15% the data would not be ‘read’. “If
you go down by 15% it is necessary to
find the number of 15%,” he said.
Yudi know the 15% reduction rate
occurred because many people
actually still want to become civil
servants (PNS), but they were stuck
for the policy of the government of
Indonesia, which imposes civil servant
moratorium so they finally moved into
the teaching profession. “Apparently, it
was a strategy of many people in the
area to remain as civil servants,” he
said.
Yudi’s expertise is greatly
appreciated by his boss, Chief of
Center for Strategic Policy Studies of
6611

the Ministry of Home Affairs, Anselmus
Tan. “He was the mainstay of my
confirmation,” said Anselmus. Yudi, said
Anselmus, became the person to ask to
confirm various things to get the basic
logic of an academic issue.
Yudi, according to Anselmus, is
very strong in issue comparison. “He
can compare the problems in detail
and help me decide which one is the
best solution,” he said.
Anselmus praised Yudi’s
progressive attitude. “His affection is
good which is also a nice surprise,”
said Anselmus. He thinks that now
Yudi has become wiser in delivering his
opinions. “He’s more polite,” he added.
His politeness, he said, was not
seen when he recently graduated from
STPDN. “In STPDN the one who was
wrong used to be grounded as though
everything is black and white.” It’s a
habit that Yudi brought to his office at
the Ministry of Home Affairs. “I
directed him to be more flexible,” said
Anselmus. However, sometimes the
‘real character’ still comes out. “He’s
from Papua and sometimes quite
stubborn,” he said. After returning
home from Michigan some colleagues
in the Ministry considered his actions a
little vain just because he is from
abroad. If it were so, Anselmus said, he
would take Yudi to his room to halt his
actions.
In short, Yudi is very fortunate to
have a leader like Anselmus who
considers him a cadre in the MOHA.
Yudi, as revealed by Anselmus, has
been an outstanding member of staff
since he arrived in his new office. “I’ve
known him since 2008, he has a
strong will and stubbornness,” said
Anselmus. But he did not think his
stubbornness affected his will to learn,
Yudi will spend a lot more time on an
English course at the British Institute.
“Finally I asked him to borrow books
from there.”
Not only that but with his improved
English skills Yudi is Anselmus’s
mainstay in every moment that
requires English. “I asked him to make
the resume of books borrowed,
Handbooks of Regional and Local
Government.” After Yudi came home
from the United States Anselmus gave
him additional tasks such as
conducting meetings in English.
Anselmus praised Yudi’s speed in
making reports. One day his division
got the task of designing bureaucratic
reform from the minister. He worked
along with other fields working on
projects to improve performance.
Reports were given by each field and
the department at the ministry. The
reports were all compiled and analyzed
by Yudi. Anselmus asked for the
reports to be completed on that day,
because it will be submitted to Minister
Gamawan on the next day. “At two in
the morning I was relieved – he sent
me good reports via email,” he said.
Wildan Fathurahman also confirmed
Anselmus praise. “He was already
smart by nature,” said the graduate of
the University of Indonesia about Yudi.
Wildan has known Yudi since February
2009. Wildan saw that the father of two
children has rapidly progressed. Yudi, he
said, “is not only good in terms of
concept but also at implementation. All
he did was feasible.”
He also formed the habit of making
reports while on duty outside Jakarta.
Wildan said that as a civil servant the
working relationship to the area is
usually just to request data from the
local government and then to process it.
At least, go to Regional Planning
Agency (BAPPEDA), or the Regional
Secretariat in provincial, district or city
level. “But he has also widely
requested feed back from the
community and included it in the report.
Thus the performance evaluation,” says
Wildan, “becomes more ‘alive’.”
According to Wildan Yudi become
more humanistic after returning from
America. “He was stern, A is A and B
is B - probably because of his
militaristic education. Now he wants to
learn to understand others.” It is
apparent when he is arguing. Although
he makes strong quantitative
arguments backed up by qualitative
data Yudi sometimes will also concede.
Because of all his achievements,
Agus Yudi Wicaksono is well known
throughout the MOHA, both for his work
contribution and for his stubbornness.
Secretary General and Director
General are well aware of his
achievements. Wildan asserted, “He is
an asset to the Ministry.”
6622
PRESTASI:
A JOURNEY

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