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 a 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 an environmental organization focused on waste management, forest protection, and advocacy programs.

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

With the limited theoretical and practical experience that I have at the moment, it would be challenging 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 a master's degree in environment.

Australia Awards Scholarship Details

I received a prestigious scholarship from the Australian Government called the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) for those who are eligible to continue their education in the master's and PhD programs. This scholarship is limited only to applicants from Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa and provides inquiries to relevant countries

The AAS covers tuition fees, pre-departure training (PDT) in-country and Introductory Academic Program (IAP) in Australia, airfare tickets for domestic and international flights and reunion airfare tickets, 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 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 actively involved in a youth-based organization and voluntarily took part in environmental issues. I co-founded and initiated a 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 conditions in the field. This is a valuable experience that gives 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 fortunate that I got the opportunity from the same scholarship AAS to support me in developing my English skills and to take the English proficiency test on IELTS. This program is known as English Language Training Assistance (ELTA) and is limited only to Equity Target Group such as People with and/or working with disability/disability people, women with disadvantaged backgrounds such as women as household heads, women with a disadvantaged background in social and economy, women from a 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 of training about IELTS as well as support to take the real test. Thus, through this help, I can apply for the scholarship and campus overseas which requires IELTS. I ended up achieving a score of 7.0

I got some offers from The Australian National University for a Master of Climate Change, Monash University for a Master of Environment and Sustainability, and Griffith University for a Master of Environment. After long consideration and research for suitable courses and subjects with my career plan, 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 requested from the scholarship. The documents such as reference letters both from academic and professional representatives, legalized undergraduate and transcript certificates, and essays should be prepared, along with your major/course subject and intended university to study. At the same time, I did research on my intended subject while exploring each of their courses at the university. I used https://cricos.education.gov.au/ to help me in screening and filtering based on state, course search, and institution course. It is a very helpful website.

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

The most important is to provide genuine and honest information.

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

 For me personally I have done the 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) to prepare, to be aware to arrange and complete the task based on priority, research more detail about subjects and course profiles, and what makes it different with other institution in Australia such as faculty expertise, unique course offerings, and institutional strengths.

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

It would be great to start the process before the official application opens. The first thing to consider is research scholarship requirements and their timeline. After that, the 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 an informative website such as CRICOS for course and institution selection. Moreover, emphasize your experiences and motivations with clear and actionable goals. Last but not 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.