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UCL Engineering hosts first alumni reception in Indonesia
12 December 2024
UCL alumni from across Indonesia came together on 13 November 2024 to enjoy an evening of networking and talks on the importance of international collaboration, held at the Ayana Midplaza Hotel in Jakarta.
80 alumni from across Indonesia gathered to celebrate their shared connection to UCL, with many travelling from afar to attend the event. The event provided an opportunity for alumni – whose graduation years ranged from 1976 to 2024 – to network, share stories and dinner together, and to reflect on how their experiences at UCL have shaped their lives.
The audience heard from three alumni – Mendy Laoda (UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, 2015-16), Rinna Santi Sijabat (UCL Chemical Engineering, 2016-17) and Chrissy Fransisca Olivyana Rugian (UCL Biochemical Engineering 2020-21) – on how their careers have flourished since graduating.
Following this, Summer Xia, Country Director for British Council in Indonesia, took to the stage to present on British Council’s diverse engagement with Indonesian alumni of UK universities. Addressing the audience, he said: “I look at you and I see ambassadors of UK-Indonesia relationships. You all went to the UK, had an amazing experience at UCL, and now we look to you to help us promote the UK as a study destination – but more than that, to promote more links with the UK and to deepen our mutual relationship.”
Finally, the audience heard from Adityawarman, Director of the Development Centre at the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG). Adit’s presentation focused on the recent partnership signed between UCL and BMKG, which will see UCL play a leading role in educating the next generation of Indonesian scientists specialising in meteorology, climatology, geophysics, and related fields. BMKG is seeking to train its staff by awarding fully funded scholarships for Master's (MSc) and Doctoral (PhD) degrees, of which UCL is now an approved destination.
The alumni reception formed part of a wider, week-long programme of strategic meetings in Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya and Yogyakarta by the UCL Engineering and Global Engagement (ENGaGE) committee. The aim of this visit was to foster stronger relationships in Indonesia, which UCL Engineering sees as a global priority partner; Indonesia’s clear ambitions around education, sustainability, green and blue energy align with key strategic focuses at UCL Engineering.