2023 International Alumna of the Year: Dr Suharti

Dr Suharti (PhD ’13), the ANU International Alumna of the Year, and is honoured for her transformative work in Indonesian education and governance, and for implementing evidence-driven policies and championing gender equality in her home country of Indonesia.

 

Dr Suharti has served her community through various positions in the Indonesian Government, including the role as Deputy Governor of Jakarta City, Indonesia and her current post as Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. As the first woman to hold this prestigious position, she has stood proudly and purposefully, working tirelessly to empower women, protect children, and address social issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a critical role in Jakarta's response efforts and has been instrumental in implementing President Jokowi's "Merdeka Belajar" program for transforming the education system.

 

Dr Surhati’s commitment to better implement evidence-driven, gender-responsive, and collaborative planning and budgeting has led to the adoption of increasingly holistic national policy strategies in Indonesia.  Her own academic research has served as the backbone of her approach to policy and governance, her work on holistic-integrative early child development, playing a particularly crucial role in shaping national strategies.

 

“Big changes do not simply come from one individual, let alone from thin air, it comes from small changes done by a significant number of the population... This is not only recognition for me and my work, but also others working for people and especially for women to choose their path to work for governments to contribute more to the country, to the community.”