Since 2009, ACICIS has awarded the Lestari Widyastuti Scholarship to an Indonesian student of Universitas Gadjah Mada with an interest in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. This scholarship honours the hard work and commitment of former ACICIS staff member, Ms Lestari Widyastuti, who sadly passed away in 2007. It is with great pleasure that we announce the third Lestari Widyastuti Scholarship was recently awarded to Ms Nurkhasanah Eka Riyani during our new semester orientation in Yogayakarta on January 29, 2017. Ms Riyani is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology Department, UGM and as part of her scholarship will also join ACICIS as an intern in our Yogyakarta office.

ACICIS also congratulates all the highly commended entries in this year’s scholarship round: we received many fantastic applications which showed us that interest in the Australia-Indonesia relationship is alive and well among Yogyakarta’s student community.

Mbak Riyani has written the following upon receiving the scholarship:

“I’m very grateful to be part of ACICIS. As an Archaeology Department student, studying human and material culture, I love to learn about different cultures. I am very interested to know more about the Australia-Indonesia relationship, and I hope I can make a good impression about Indonesia and develop myself professionally.

It really means something to be the recipient of Lestari Widyastuti Scholarship. In addition to assisting with my tuition and study program, it will also give me opportunity to develop my skills through the internship program. In this program, I can decide my own time to do the internship, so I can balance between studying and improve my ability. I also have an opportunity to interact with Australian students and share our culture.

Getting a chance to improve my ability also encourages me study harder. I am very thankful to receive Lestari Widyastuti Scholarship. Hopefully, more students will also receive the same opportunity in the future.”

Congratulations to Mbak Riyani and all the applicants in this year’s round.

Deputy Resident Director Dr Adrian Budiman awards certificates to runner-ups Nabila Khoiru Nisa and Irzha Ayu Mandira.

Gadjah Mada University representative Mr Popi Irawan, Lestari Scholarship Winner Ms Nurkhasanah Eka Riyani and ACICIS Resident Director Ms Elena Williams, MA.

ACICIS Resident Director Ms Elena Williams MA awards Ms Nurkhasanah Eka Riyani the Lestari Widyastuti Scholarship.

Ms Nurkhasanah Eka Riyani accepts the award.