How an Indonesian Environmental Advocate Secured the Fully Funded Australia Awards Scholarship for a Master of Environment at Griffith University

I am Reny Septiani, often called Reny. I am from small district called Sigi District in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. I loved being in nature such as diving or just appreciating the environment. I used to work in environmental organization focus on waste management, forest protection, and advocacy program involving multi actors stand for government bodies and community group.

I graduated Bachelor of Chemistry Education in Tadulako University. After graduating, I then professionally worked at Humanitarian Organization experience direct impact and effect of natural events and destruction to the local community especially who lives in the prone zone areas. Working in Humanitarian Organization gave me role to responsible handling environmental program and disaster risk reduction program. I also had experience working in local organization which managed multi actor's forum with mission protecting remaining lowland rainforest in Sumatra. I triggered and motivated to learn and understand more about environmental issues and how it could be addressed effectively and keep sustainability of the operation, because everybody believes that environmental issues are global and cross cutting issues and should be discussed and mitigated collaboratively.

With limited theoretical and practical experience that I have at the moment, it would be challenges for me to contribute and take part in developing and keeping environmental programs sustainable and adaptable. Thus, it triggered me to take further education by pursuing master's degree in environment.

Australia Awards Scholarship Details

I received prestigious scholarship by Australia Government called Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) for those who eligible to continue their education in master's and PhD program. This scholarship is limited only applicants from Asia, Pacific, Middle East, Africa and provides enquiries to relevant countries. Reader can further explore the detail information on www.dfat.gov.au

The AAS covers tuition fees, pre-departure training (PDT) in-country and Introductory Academic Program (IAP) in Australia, airfare ticket for domestic and international flight and reunion airfare ticket, stipend during PDT and during studying, student visa, health insurance, establishment allowance, supplementary academic support, fieldwork allowance and professional development and network.

Other requirements such as GPA, english language proficiency, award and the category type can be different from other countries. So, it is important to get through and understand each requirement, especially the timeline.

Educational Background

I graduated in Chemistry Education at Tadulako University, in Palu City, Indonesia. During my undergraduate study, I was active involved in youth-based organization and voluntarily take part in environmental issues. I co-founded and initiated movement to combat marine debris issues, waste management, mangrove and coral reef restoration and rehabilitation. From this involvement, I can experience the real situation and condition in the field. This is valuable experience that give priceless understanding and practical knowledge that I could bring to the table for continuing my further education through scholarship.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Griffith University and Other Institutions?

I was fortune that I got opportunity from the same scholarship AAS to support me in developing my English skill and able to take English proficiency test on IELTS. This program known as English Language Training Assistance (ELTA) and limited only for Equity Target Group such as People with and/or working with disability/disability people, women with disadvantage background such as women headed-household, women with disadvantage background in social and economy, women from minority group and had experience discrimination, and identified as indigenous people, last is people from targeted provinces in Indonesia.

Through ELTA, I received three months training about IELTS as well as support to take the real test. Thus, through this help, I can apply the scholarship and campus in overseas which requires IELTS. I ended up achieving a score of 7.0

I got some offers from The Australian National University for Master of Climate Change, Monash University for Master of Environment and Sustainability, and from Griffith University for Master of Environment. With long consideration and research for suitable courses and subject with my career plan, so I chose Griffith University as the most suitable for my study and future career plan.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship?

First, when I have done my IELTS preparation and got my targeted score, I then prepare to apply the scholarship and start to complete all documents request from scholarship. The document such as reference letters both from academic and professional representative, legalized undergraduate and transcript certificate and essays should be prepared, along with your major/course subject and intended university to study. In same time, I did research on my intended subject with exploring each of their courses in the university. I used https://cricos.education.gov.au/ to help me in screening and filtering based on state, course search, institution course. It is very helpful website.

Other than that, I used template that I develop by myself which may help other candidates to arrange their preparation. It can be accessed through https://linktr.ee/rainsjourney.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

First of all, what it makes stand out is “Strategic”, I provide and deliver my application that is align with scholarship mission and bilateral agreement between my country Indonesia and Australia. There is a document about Long-term National Development Plan which refer to Australia-Indonesia Development Partnership Plan which I can align with what I am planning to pursue in master's program. In addition, I provided urgent issues on my essays which the potential solutions or plan to solve it I could learn it through provided courses in Australia’s institution.

The most important is provide all genuine and honest information.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Are Going Through the Process Again?

 For me personally I have done right process that brings me to the place I expected. However, I would like to encourage people who are planning to apply Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) is preparation, be aware to arrange and complete the task based on the priority, research more detail about subjects, course profile, what makes it different with other institution in Australia such as faculty expertise, unique course offerings, and institutional strengths.

What Advice Would You Give for Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

It would be great to start the process before the official application opened. The first thing to consider is research scholarship requirements and their timeline. After that, applicant can continue to align and tailor the application to the scholarship objectives and development priorities areas especially based on your country's perspective (as it may be different from other countries). Then, as I mentioned earlier Australia has informative website such as CRICOS for course and institution selection. Moreover, emphasize your experiences and motivations with clear and actionable goals. Last but not the least, develop your own or you can use mine to help you in tracking your preparation list and checklist to manage deadlines and tasks efficiently.