Elizabeth “Lisa” Kastanya believes science and technology play a critical role in Indonesia’s development and future. She also thinks young people will be the key to that future.

“We need to increase student involvement and that’s true for Indonesian students back home as well as those studying outside of the country,” said Kastanya, a senior studying political science and prelaw at Michigan State University.

Conferences like Indonesia Focus have the right formula, she says.

Kastanya dedication to her country was evident on November 9, as she stood among a small team of other Indonesian scholars at Indonesia Focus (IF 2012), an annual event in the U.S. organized by the Asian Society for International Relation and Public Affairs (ASIRPA) and at MSU for the first time thanks to Indonesia Students Association of Michigan State University (PERMIAS-MSU) and MSU’s Asian Studies Center.

Kastanya explained that the IF 2012 has two main programs, namely: Indonesia Focus Conference (IFC) and Indonesia Cultural Night (ICN).

“IFC 2012 provides opportunities for Indonesian scholars and international scholars to share their researches and thoughts for the betterment of Indonesia,” she said. “It was an honor to host the event this year and we were delighted with the outcome. We had many distinguished speakers and guests and more than 130 participants,” she said

Participants included Nur Sisworahardjo, president of ASIRPA,Siddharth Chandra, director of the Asian Studies Center and Andriana Supandy, the Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago.

A wide range of topics were discussed at five plenary sessions under the theme of “Embracing innovative art, science and technology in supporting the acceleration of Indonesian development.” Keynote speakers included Imron Cotan, Indonesian Ambassador to China, Tjatur Sapto Edy, congressman from Indonesia House of Representative, Satya Widya Yudha, congressman from Indonesia House of Representative, Bustanul Arifin, Senior Economist of Institute for Development of Economics and Finance and Yonny Koesmaryono, Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs of the Agriculture Institute of Bogor.

Indonesian Cultural Night brings culture to life
On Friday night, the beauty of Indonesia and Indonesian culture took center stage before an audience of 300 students, faculty, and community members. Anastasia Suradja, a senior studying marketing at Michigan State University, helped organize the Indonesia delicacies, Indonesia classical dance, vocals and other amazing performances that have made ICN a favorite annual event at MSU.

“I can’t think of a better event on campus that demonstrates the richness and vibrancy of a culture,” said Ralang Argi, a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering and president of PERMIAS-MSU. “I am proud to be an MSU student and I am proud to be an Indonesian student,” he said.

Haryo Winarso, Educational Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy at Washington DC, sent deep appreciation to PERMIAS-MSU and Asian Studies Center and encouraged the continuation of events focusing on strengthening mutual relationship between Indonesia and the United States.

Conference participants discuss the agenda ahead of Indonesia
The program closed with a lively discussion among the keynote speakers and the IF participants on issues that can impede a country’s progress in developing science and technology. Some of the issues and needs raised by the participants included:

o Need to improve the public’s awareness of the Indonesia government’s budget and role in development
o Need for increased government funding of research
o Need for increased transparency and use of technology to improve public access to data and research reports, particularly those funded by the Indonesia government
o Need to place priority on renewable energy research and inventions
o Need for a special type visa (e.g., student visa) to accommodate the increasing need of exchange students and experts between Indonesia and the US

Parallel events at MSU: 

• Yonny Koesmaryono from the Bogor Agricultural University, sponsored by The Institute of International Agriculture (IIA) at Michigan State University, visited Michigan State University during the week of the IF event to explore ways to conduct joint research and formalize a student exchange between MSU and Bogor Agricultural University in the future.

• PERMIAS-MSU was the host of the national PERMIAS meeting held on the last day of the IF event and is trusted to lead the effort to the continuation of the meeting in 2013, which will be the impetus to re-establish Indonesian Student Association in the United States at the national level.  

• A Writing Contest with the theme of “Sharing is believing was conducted for conference participants.” The winners of professional and college student category are: 1. Tanita Dhiyaan R. (Universitas Indonesia. Paper: Independency Amid Interdependency: An Idea of People Empowerment); 2. Levina Kusumadjaja (Paper: Back to the roots ); 3. Anindyah Kurnia Putri (Institute Teknologi Bandung. Paper: Could ICT the poor in Indonesia)

Prepared by Perdinan (PhD candidate in Geography of Michigan State University/IF 2012 Program Team, perdinan@msu.edu)

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The IF 2012 was generously supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington DC and the Asian Studies Center of Michigan State University as the main sponsor, and numerous organizations, i.e. the Institute of International Agriculture of Michigan State University, the International Students and Scholars of Michigan State University, Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago, the Islamic Studies Center, Federal Credit Union Bank and Super 8 Motel Grand River Avenue East Lansing. Special thanks also go to Mr. Mujiburohman, Mr. Toni Triyulianto, Mr. Dapot Sinaga, Ms. Anastasia Suradja and Mrs. Dewi Puspa (Tante Cucu) as the representative of the Indonesia Focus 2012 committee for all their tremendous dedications and contributions.