INSPIRATION AWARDS
The Inspiration Awards were given to six outstanding alumni, whose work, either in their profession or a voluntary capacity is truly an inspiration for others. They have worked tirelessly towards a particular cause driven by their passion for contributing to improving the lives of others.
The Inspiration Awardees for 2008 are:
Mrs Miranda Risang Ayu
Miranda Risang Ayu is a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Padjadjaran University in Bandung. She has and continues to make an invaluable contribution to the Indonesian legal system and society as a legal scholar, lecturer and writer. She has successfully managed family responsibilities as a mother and wife while researching, teaching and writing books, as well as being involved in high-level policy through research and drafting of legislation.
Mrs Risang Ayu completed her Master and PhD in Law at the University of Technology Sydney and was assisted by an Australian Development Scholarship. Her research interest is the field of intellectual property rights with a focus on cultural rights approach. Mrs Risang Ayu is also interested in Sufism. She has written extensively on these two topics and has been widely published in academic journals and newspapers.
Mr Anak Agung Gede Raka Dalem
Mr Raka Dalem has played an important role in the development of ecotourism in Indonesia through research and community empowerment activities, particularly in Bali. He is one of the initiators of the ‘Tri Hita Karana’ Tourism Certification program and is the only certified facilitator for the ‘Green Globe’ program in Indonesia. These programs promote the development of sustainable tourism by empowering local communities, caring for the environment and preserving local culture.
He works closely with local communities in tourist destinations to improve their skills, facilities and promotions opportunities. He is also an academic at Udayana University in Bali. His teaching interests include ecotourism and environmental management. He was appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in 2007. Mr Raka Dalem completed post-graduate studies at the University of Western Sydney under an Australian Development Scholarship.
Ms Eva Kasim
Ms Eva Rahmi Kasim is an inspiring role model for Indonesians and has undertaken important work to improve the lives of people with disabilities, both in Indonesia and overseas. Ms Kasim is very active in various voluntary organisations and holds several positions within Indonesian disability peak body organisations. As well as her official role within the Directorate General for Social Services and Rehabilitation, Ms Kasim is Secretary General of the Indonesian Federation of Physically Handicapped and a National Board Member of the Indonesian Association of Disabled Persons and the Indonesian Association of Women with Disabilities.
She plays an important advocacy role where she continues to raise awareness of the conditions, rights and needs of people with disabilities. Ms Kasim is also a guest lecturer at the School of Social Works at the University of Indonesia. In this role, she provides education and advice for future generations of Indonesians who will carry on the work of improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Ms Kasim studied a Master of Disability Studies at Deakin University in Australia.
Mr Abdul Mu'ti
Mr Abdul Mu’ti is an Australian Alumnus whose significant achievements should inspire young Indonesians. He completed his Master degree at the School of Education, Flinders University under the AusAID scholarship scheme from 1995-1997. He has been very active within the Muhammadiyah Organisation, the second largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia, since he was a young student in Central Java.
He currently holds the position of Chairman of the Muhammadiyah National Youth Organisation and is also Executive Director for The Centre for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilisations (CDCC). CDCC aims to promote better understanding and peaceful relations among religions, cultures, nations and civilisations at large. He is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Education at the State Institute of Islamic Studies Walisongo (IAIN Walisongo) in Semarang.
Dr Makmur Sanusi
Dr Makmur Sanusi has many achievements that deserve recognition. Holding Master and Doctorate degrees from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Dr Sanusi is a senior officer within the Ministry of Social Affairs and a lecturer at the Department of Social Welfare at the University of Indonesia. His career demonstrates his commitment and dedication to the development of underprivileged people in Indonesia.
Dr Sanusi is currently the Director General for Social Services and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Social Affairs. Throughout his career at the Ministry, Dr Sanusi has had significant influence on social welfare development in Indonesia. Prior to his career at the Ministry, Dr Sanusi was involved in various humanitarian projects such as Hill Tribes Resettlement and Foster Parents Plan in South Sulawesi.
Mr Samsul Bahri Usman
Mr Samsul Bahri Usman has made a significant contribution to the field of education. A recipient of the Australian Development Scholarship, Mr Usman graduated from Flinders University of South Australia in 2004 with a Master degree in Educational Management. Since his return to Indonesia, he has worked tirelessly to overcome the devastating effects of the Aceh Tsunami.
Mr Usman is currently the Office Manager for the Education Rehabilitation Program for Aceh which is supported by AusAID. He has been engaged in the building of education infrastructure and educational management for schools in five Aceh districts. Following the Tsunami, he has been a key contact person for many Australian agencies working in Aceh and has provided valuable assistance in the promotion of Australian Scholarships in his home region. Mr Usman is an active writer who has contributed numerous articles in newspaper in his home province of Aceh and more broadly. He is the current present President of the Australian Alumni Association in the Aceh Province (IKAMA-Aceh).
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
The Australian Embassy is very conscious of the impact made by alumni in furthering the relationship between Australian and Indonesia. Distinguished Alumni Awards were awarded to four distinguished alumni who have contributed significantly to the relationship:
Dr. Hermanto Dardak
Dr Dardak obtained his post-graduate qualifications at the University of New South Wales with a Master of Civil Engineering and a PhD in Transport Economics. During his time in Australia, he was the Chairman of the Indonesian Students Association in Australia (PPIA). He is currently the President of National Australian Alumni Association (IKAMA) and the Chairman of Alumni Relation of ITB.
Dr Dardak currently serves as the Chairman of the Civil Engineering Council of the Indonesian Institute of Engineers (PII) and the Chairman of the Indonesian Road Development Association and the Indonesian Transportation Society. He also has had involvement with the Indonesian Australian Business Council (IABC). Dr Dardak is currently Director General of Highways at the Ministry of Public Works.
Mr. Jonathan Limbong Parapak
Mr Parapak is a distinguished bureaucrat, successful businessman and an inspiring community leader. Mr Parapak completed his Master degree in engineering science at the University of Tasmania and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award. He has served twice as the Chairman of the National Australian Alumni Association (IKAMA).
As a civil servant, Mr Parapak worked within the government-owned telecommunication company, was the President and CEO of PT Indosat for 11 years, and the Secretary General of the Department of Tourism, Posts and Telecommunication. The Government of Indonesia bestowed him the Bintang Jasa Utama (The Star Merit Award) for his contribution to the development of Indonesia.
Ms. Koesmarihati
Ms Koesmarihati graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1965 with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering as a recipient of the Colombo Plan Scholarship. Ms Koesmarihati is a former president of the Australian Alumni Association (IKAMA).
Ms Koesmarihati worked as an engineer in Hobart and Melbourne for several years before returning to Indonesia to work in the Department of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication. She rose through the ranks and became a Director of PT Telkom, one of the biggest state owned telecommunication companies. She was a member of the board of commissioners for other telecommunication corporations and later became the CEO of PT Telkomsel. Currently she is a member of the Indonesian Telecommunication Regulatory Body, which is responsible for the supervision and control of the telecommunication industry in Indonesia.
Mr. Abdillah Toha
Mr Toha is a member of Indonesia’s national parliament (DPR) and Executive Committee Member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Mr Toha graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Commerce at the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor (First Class Honours). Mr Toha is one of the founders of the Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) and still holds the position of the member of Board of Advisors for the party. He is a member of Commission I of the DPR, which oversees defence, international relations, communication and intelligence matters.
Mr Toha is Chair of the Board of Commissioners at Mizan Publishers and Director of Baraka Group, which deals with property, trading and management consultancy. He is also the founder of the AINI Eye Hospital Foundation.