Events
Rekindling Connections: Strengthening Alumni Bonds and Exploring New Horizons in Japan and Beyond─Alumni in Indonesia Celebrated Milestones and Aim for Collaborations
On December 21, 2024, the Candi Singasari Ballroom of the Grand Sahid Jaya lit up with 110 participants. It has been two whole years since the last reunion event in December 2022 at Sari Pacific. Throughout the event, Ms. Anisah Fatonah and Ms. Livia Liannasari efficiently took on the role of Master of Ceremony (MC). The third president of Sakura Alumni Association in Indonesia (SAAI), Mr. Abdul Baits Dehana Padma Swastika warmly welcomed everyone, describing how coordinators have cooperated with SAAI activities in between family time, work, and study. He specifically stated how the last two years have been particularly progressive. He closed his remark by declaring that “our collaboration must be and will be stronger and more robust in the coming future.”

SAAI President

Ms. Anisah Fatonah and Ms. Livia Liannasari
<Symbolic Pinning Ceremony>
Next, Mr. OTSUKI Hajime, Director of Sakura Science Headquarters, at Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) gave encouraging remarks and granted symbolic pins of appreciation to each coordinator who had contributed immensely in the last two years. After Mr. Baits assumed the role of president, SAAI achieved brilliant milestones. Throughout 2023 and 2024, SAAI steadily built connections with prominent stakeholders in STI (science, technology, and innovation), namely BRIN, the ASEAN Secretariat, JASSO Indonesia, and more. Through these ties, SAAI organized the Sakura Science Technology and Innovation Award (SSTIA), a scientific paper competition. At the same time, SAAI has been hosting SAAI Talks, SSC Global Meeting, and the SAAI SDGs Workshop, enabling close interaction among motivated individuals across borders.

Director of Sakura Science Headquarters
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)


<Address by Honorable Guests>
Both honorable guests, H.E. Mr. MASAKI Yasushi, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Indonesia, and Prof. Edy Giri Rachman Putra, Deputy Chairman for Human Resources at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency) emphasized the importance of human resource development in our time and encouraged further deepening of ties and collaboration. In particular, Ambassador Masaki stated “I believe that all of you who are alumni of the Sakura Science Program will make full use of these experiences, know-hows that you acquired in Japan for the future development of Indonesia and strengthening of our relationship” Prof. Edy clearly illustrated BRIN’s young human resource strategies in line with Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision-national development plan) in higher education up to post-doc, onwards. He wished for the event to “inspire young talents, and Sakura Science alumni to continue strengthening cooperation with the Japanese colleagues, and to build towards Indonesia Emas 2045.”

Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Indonesia

Deputy Chairman for Human Resources at BRIN
(National Research and Innovation Agency)


<Sharing Session>
In the Sharing Session moderated by Ms. Dewi Caesaria Fitriani, speakers from different parts of Indonesia presented how SSP had impacted their lives. All speakers focused on what they want to attain in their future studies, careers, and research. And thus, Ms. Dewi pointed out that there could be more opportunities for inspiring collaborations soon.

SAAI Coordinator and Sharing Session Moderator

Mr. Muh. Gunawan - Student at Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University, Makassar,
South Sulawesi
During SSP, Mr. Gunawan had specifically learned about palliative care ─how to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients─at Yokohama City University and its affiliated hospital and hospice. After his return to Indonesia, his motivation resulted in becoming a speaker at events, winning several competitions, and getting awarded as the most outstanding student. His efforts also led to effective self-branding. “When nations come together the possibilities are limitless,” he concluded.

Student at Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University
Ms. Nadia Nursaidatina Arifah Putri - Consultant at Kibumi
After advancing her knowledge of environmental issues through SSP at the University of Kitakyushu, Ms. Nadia became a consultant at KIBUMI, which delivers recyclables sourcing solutions. There, Ms. Nadia supported the policy recommendation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Indonesia, which can hold the producer accountable for environmentally negative impacts. By conducting actual pre-studies in Bali, and collaborating with embassies and universities, she is striving for better waste management outcomes in Indonesia. Furthermore, she has co-founded her environmental platform CATALYZON and a youth educational funding platform LAMPUNG SMALL STEPS. She also empowers women through GLOBAL SHAPER SEMARANG. With multiple goals in her mind, she stated that “the journey is, of course, far from over.”

Consultant at Kibumi
Ms. Ratih Prasetya - The Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG)
Ms. Ratih Prasetya illustrated how SSP at JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) had boosted her career as a researcher in atmospheric science. Through the field project in 11 countries, including both Indonesia and Japan, she was able to experience lectures, discussions, and practical exercises using readily available datasets. The goal was to observe the climate system of Earth’s largest archipelago (Indonesia) for better understanding and predictions. After the program, her paper was published in 2020, and Ms. Prasetya continues to observe local weather circulation characteristics through remote sensing technology and onsite observation using weather balloons. She pointed out that the SSP experience has also helped with establishing her research proposal for doctoral studies. She aspires to continue her studies. She added that five out of eight SSP alumni in the program are pursuing their doctoral degrees in 2020 in Japan and abroad.

The Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG)
<Information Session>
In the following Information Session, Ms. Pravinda from the JASSO Indonesia Office provided useful information on studying in Japan. Besides the Japan government’s fully funded MEXT (Monbukagakusho) scholarship, she mentioned that MEXT also provides honors scholarships for privately financed students. Local governments and international exchange organizations also provide scholarships. Those interested can contact JASSO Indonesia through: info [at] jasso.or.id (replace [at] with @ when sending)

JASSO Indonesia Office
From JST, Mr. TAKAHASHI Naohiro announced the agency’s new exchange platform NEXUS Young Talents Exchange and Capacity Development Program (Y-tec), specifically established to encourage brain-cycle between ASEAN countries and Japan. Those aged 40 years old or under can be invited to Japan or dispatched from Japan, for up to 90 days/person within the one-year exchange period. The recommended field for Indonesia is Bioproduction, but all other fields in natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences are accepted. The call may open soon after January 2025. Y-tec does not require any experience in coming to Japan.

Deputy Manager, Sakura Science Program Headquarters
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
In the Fun Activity Session, Mr. Alvin acted as the moderator to direct the Alphabet Bingo game, where people had to find participants’ names. There were three winners. After the game ended on a lively note, Ms. Anisa and Ms. Livia briefly interviewed some participants who raised their hand to give their impressions. One of the interviewees, Mr. Egi, who had been a presenter in 2022, extended his gratitude─“Thank you to all the coordinators, because of you guys we can meet in this event.” The event concluded joyously with the unanimous call─Sakura Science, We are One!



