Desty Herdiyani: Harmonising Leader-Implementer Synergy at BPK

In 2019, Desty Maulidina Herdiyani finally decided to take time from her career at the Audit Board (BPK). There were several reasons why Desty chose Australia. It wasn’t simply because her husband had previously completed his Masters degree at Queensland University of Technology. Seeing how her office collaborated with the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) also helped convince her to pursue a Masters of Governance and Public Policy at the University of Queensland.

“We gained a lot of valuable insights from ANAO. Seeing how we benefited from those insights, I was confident that I could also learn a great deal about public policy from Australia,” Desty explained.

An Enriching Experience for My Whole Family

Studying public policy was a completely new experience for Desty, who had previously focused on more practical, hands-on responsibilities as an auditor at BPK.

“The lecturers at UQ explained things exceptionally well, even for someone like me who was completely new to policy studies… My critical thinking skills were really sharpened during my studies, especially since back home in Indonesia, we’re more used to being taught to follow instructions,” she added.

As a student and a mother who brought along her family, Desty found the support and facilities provided incredibly helpful in easing the transition and making university life in Brisbane more manageable. Living for two years in such a diverse and inclusive society also changed Desty’s outlook.

“My time studying in Australia wasn’t just life-changing for me, it was life-changing for my whole family,” she shared.

Aligning Vision and Action at BPK

Toward the end of her studies in Australia in 2021, Desty received a notification from BPK informing her that she would be assigned to a new role as a policy analyst in the Secretariat of the Chair of BPK, providing her with the opportunity to work alongside BPK first female chairperson. In her role at the Secretariat, Desty is responsible for screening and reviewing materials and draft documents related to policies and programs submitted to the Chair.

Positioned between the Chair of BPK and the BPK Organising Body, Desty plays a key role in aligning the Chair’s vision with material submitted from the organisation's various departments.

“The critical thinking skills I developed during my studies in Australia trained me to approach issues from a holistic perspective. Policies are often interconnected, and this way of thinking has been incredibly useful” Desty shared.

Facilitating interaction with ANAO

Desty’s status as an Australia Awards alumna has also led to her being more involved in the partnership between BPK and the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

“At the regular meetings between BPK and ANAO, I help prepare materials that the Chairperson will use, including briefing notes for courtesy calls with ANAO. The Chair often asks me about current issues in Australia, and seeks insights into how Australia views certain matters” Desy said.

Bidding for a Seat on the United Nations Board of Auditors

At present, Desty is actively involved in supporting BPK’s campaign to become a member of the United Nations Board of Auditors for the 2026–2032 term. If successful, BPK would gain the authority to audit international organisations under the UN system.

“One of the subjects I studied in Australia was international law, and that knowledge has really helped me contribute to BPK’s efforts to join the United Nations Board of Auditors. I now have a better understanding of how international legal frameworks operate and how to engage effectively with other countries,” Desty explained.