18 October 2023

Bahtiar Rifai: Short Courses Build Collaboration for Research on Digital Transformation

"Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, in a brief time of discussion, I got so many new insights," Bahtiar Rifai elaborated on his experience as a participant in the Australia Awards in Indonesia (AAI) Short Course program themed “Governing in the Digital Age (The Use of Data for Better Policies and Public Services)” in 2021.

Working as a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bobby applied for a Short Course held by Griffith University shortly after he obtained his PhD from the University of Birmingham in 2020. While the Short Course was conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bobby said the whole course went beyond his expectations. In particular, he felt grateful he got the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas with his Short Course supervisor, Professor Dian Tjondronegoro.

“By the time I arrived in Indonesia after my Ph.D. study, I already missed having a mentor who guides me, and I got it (mentor) in Short Course.” Bobby confessed.

Promoting Digital Transformation

On his return, besides working on two award projects, Bobby also did three academic research activities. He collaborated with BRIN and PT Telkom Indonesia (Telkom) to conduct joint research aimed at developing three priority sectors (fisheries, agribusiness, and technology-based tourism) in Lombok. He also received a grant from Japan to write about government readiness to use digital data for better policymaking and service provision in Indonesia.

Through the short course, Booby was impressed by how supportive and friendly the Australian academics were. Bobby together with Professor Dian and other academics from Griffith wrote a paper titled “The state of open data implementation in Indonesia” published by Griffith Asia Institute in 2022. The research showcased the implementation of Presidential Regulation on Satu Data Indonesia by reviewing the impact of the Short Course held by Griffith in 2021.

In late 2023, Bahtiar will fly again to Australia. He will go to Queensland University of Technology to participate in his second Short Course. After that, Bahtiar will accept an invitation of Griffith Asia Institute to be a visiting fellow in Brisbane.

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