JAKARTA, April 21, 2021 -- For more than 17 years, Imaculata Primadona Susi Kurniasanti has been working on behalf of marginalized women and children in Indonesia. Not only does she help connect human trafficking victims and refugees with shelters, but she also assists in providing them with legal support, reintegrating victims with their families, and advocating for the rights of women and children. Through a learning center and support groups, she provides a medium for marginalized groups to gain education, build their capacities, and prepare to be independent.

The East-West Center and the International Selection Committee of the R-Adhikarya ‘Niche’ Award (RANA) are proud to announce that Kurniasanti is the outstanding winner of a scholarship to support PhD study at the University of Hawai‘i and the East-West Center (EWC) starting in September 2021. Kurniasanti’s RANA scholarship of $10,000 is offered in conjunction with EWC’s Graduate Degree Fellowship for a total value of approximately $103,000.

“We believe that with Kurniasanti’s proven passion and tenacity, this scholarship could be her stepping-stone towards making an even bigger difference for advocacy and educational efforts for marginalized groups across Indonesia,” said the award’s initiator, former EWC researcher Dr. Ronny Adhikarya.

The award will enable Kurniasanti to pursue her dreams of enhancing her expertise in the fields of migration, ethnic relations, and multiculturalism. She envisions forming a task force for human trafficking and refugee services in Indonesia that will ultimately help establish a nationwide hotline and other services, as well as shelters for refugees and trafficking victims in all provinces. In becoming a professor, she hopes to create a center for migration that connects refugees and left-behind children in remote areas with the global education system.

About the RANA Award
The R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award (RANA) is a token of appreciation for individuals who have demonstrated innovative ‘niche’ thinking in their studies and careers. Awarded annually, it enables young visionaries with a learning-oriented growth mindset to study at one of three world-class educational institutions in the United States: the East-West Center (EWC), Stanford University, and Cornell University. These institutions were part of Dr. Ronny Adhikarya’s academic journey before continuing his extensive career in international development assistance.

Kiroyan Partners (KP), a leading Public Affairs consulting firm, has agreed to partner in this endeavor by providing support to coordinate and implement the communication, publicity and marketing activities of RANA, as well as coordinating and maintaining the internal communication platform for the International Selection Committee members.

About the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship
Each year the East-West Center provides competitive fellowships to fund master's and doctoral study for exceptional students from Asia, the Pacific, and the United States to participate in educational, cultural, residential community-building, and leadership development programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The fellowships prepare the next generation to address the complex challenges facing the Indo-Asia Pacific region and the world.

Supported by:

• R-Adhikarya International Advisory and Consulting Services
• East-West Center
• Kiroyan Partners
• Office of the Minority Leader, State of Hawai‘i House of Representatives.