Jakarta – On Monday, the U.S. Embassy hosted a homecoming reception for 20 young Indonesian professionals who recently earned their Master’s Degrees in the United States. Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Fellowship Program, USAID provided opportunities for highly qualified Indonesians to pursue graduate studies in forestry and biodiversity at U.S. universities Northern Arizona University, University of Florida, University of Missouri and Yale University. The USAID-CIFOR program also facilitates students to carry out field research in Indonesia under the supervision of CIFOR and other organizations.
“This fellowship is an opportunity for these young professionals to advance their skills and knowledge for the benefit of Indonesia’s development. They are part of a long history of educational exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia that we’re proud to reflect on this year, the 70th anniversary of relations between our two countries,” said U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan, Jr.
“Investing in the futures of young researchers and professionals will always generate great returns,” said Director General of CIFOR Dr. Robert Nasi.
“To build on my experience in the field, I studied forestry and conservation management and network with professional foresters and conservation practitioners. The USAID-CIFOR Fellowship opened doors for me to advance my career, and I’m proud that I can put my new knowledge into practice to improve natural resource management in Indonesia,” said Mohamad Ridlo who received his Master’s Degree from the University of Florida in 2018.
“The Fellowship Program has provided opportunities for young Indonesians to improve their knowledge and skills needed to support the government’s effort to manage forests and biodiversity sustainably,” said Dr. Syaiful Anwar, Director of the Research and Development Centre for Social Economic Forest Policy and Climate Change (P3SEKPI), Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
The USAID-CIFOR Fellowship is among the many U.S. Government scholarship programs designed to advance cooperation, promote prosperity and enhance mutual understanding between the United States and Indonesia. Since 1950, USAID and its predecessor agencies have provided scholarships to more than 4,000 Indonesians to earn degrees at U.S. universities. Tens of thousands more Indonesians have participated in non-degree training in the United States.
About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful and prosperous world. Through international development programs and disaster assistance, USAID partners to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises, progress beyond assistance and attain self-reliance.
About CIFOR
CIFOR is a non-profit scientific institution that conducts research on the most pressing challenges of forest and landscape management around the world. Using a global, multidisciplinary approach, we aim to improve human well-being, protect the environment, and increase equity. To do so, we conduct innovative research, develop partners’ capacity, and actively engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to inform policies and practices that affect forests and people.
For more information, visit http://indonesia.usaid.gov/ or contact USAID Development Outreach and Communications Specialist Swiny Andina at sandina@usaid.gov.
