INTERVIEW

1. Please Introduce yourself to us in details!

Well, thanks for a chance that given to me. My name is Fikriyatul Falashifah. I am from
Batang region, central java. I had been graduated from Bogor Agricultural University
majoring Applied Meteorology. Currently I work volunteerly in the NGO named Innovation
for Indonesia (INOVASIA) whose project is biogas utilization from tofu production waste to
support village independence and environmental friendly energy. As an applied meteorology
student, I’ve studied the basic knowledge and techniques about weather prediction,
measurement, mapping, data analysis, and how to implement the knowledge to many sectors
such as marine, medicine, aviation, social and other related sectors. But I personally want to
be be a climate expert in the field of microclimate, especially in the development sector, both
urban-rural or regional planning. I am very interested in project management, and want to
track my future in the area of development practice.
2. Why do you choose to study abroad!
Well, I will separate my answer into three main parts. First, academically. Second, Self-
development, and the last one is Indonesian benefits.
Academically, before making decision to study abroad, I have checked about master of
development studies in Indonesia, particularly in ITB. This program requires strong
background in economics and architecture, and I am not in line with it. I am not an advance
both in economics and architecture, so I consider myself that it is difficult because my
background is not supporting both subjects. Then I checked the same program in melbourne
university, but this program is part of art faculties and most of courses are in social and
medical track such as gender and HIV issues. I am so glad finding victoria university of
wellington because its master of development studies is part of science faculty which is
related to my previous study. There I can learn development, such as development theory,
practise, research and policy as the basic knowledge which is taught sequentially. Then I have
checked the course given and found climate change issues as a special subject. This program
is also supported by Climate change research institute which can teach me about climate
science and decision making, with simple modelling techniques and understanding more
about climate response and future change.
The second is about self-development. Of course, we all know that studying abroad is the
ultimate test of self-reliance. I personally want to be “The person who has world class
competence with global outlook but grass root understanding”. Because studying is not only
about the knowledge and skill, but also the perspective to overcome nation’s problem.
The third is Indonesian beneficial. Master of development studies also provides about
International policy negotiation. This will be beneficial to Indonesia, , because I can make a
great networking and it will support my career as development practitioner, and I think, to
commemorate Garuda 2045 or Indonesia as a developed country, we have to learn much from
developed countries, as New Zealand.
3. Why do you choose to study in new zealand?
New zealand is a developed country with high ranks of international comaprison of national
performance, such as health, education, economic freedom, and quality of life. New zealand
is identified as one of the most stable and well-governed nation. As of 2011, the country was
ranked 5th in the strength of its democratic institutions and first in government transparency
and lack of corruption. New zealand ranked 8th in the center for global development’s 2012
commitment to development index, which ranks the world most developed countries on their
dedication to policies that benefit poorer nations. New zealand is also the fourth most
peaceful country in the world according to the 2014 global peace index. That is why, I have
great beliefs that new zealand is an appropriate country to study about development studies.
4. Why do you choose Victoria University of wellington?
 As I have mentioned before, VUW provides master of development studies program as a part
of science faculty. Besides, their connections and influence, both here and overseas, are
strengthened by this capital city status, providing opportunities for staff and students
internationally, and helping us to take new zealand’s perspective to the world. As a national
campus based in the state capital, Victoria has strong ties with various departments and state
bodies, international agencies, global industry, regional and local government, and
environmental organizations,

The quality of a university’s staff and students determines its success. At Victoria, our
teachers are committed to developing the knowledge, competencies and personal attributes of
their students, with an eye to their future. For students, the quality and the relevance of your
experience at Victoria and the career opportunities that result will be second to none.

VUW is the most leading research institutions in New Zealand. In New Zealand, the
government Commission of higher education established the Victoria University of
Wellington ranked # 1 for quality research. Arriving at # 151 QS World Ranking.

Victoria University has a strong tradition and deeply rooted in creating a global chain in
teaching, research, and includes a variety of projects of national importance with international
quality.

Besides, all of the courses given support me to be climate expert in the field of development
sector.

5. Why do you choose that program/major?

Because I want to implement my basic knowledge of meteorology only for one sector, so I
choose to apply it in the development sector. This is part of my passion, and I think all
development sectors need the deep understanding of climate and weather uncertainty as a part
of the regional resilience.
6. Tell me about life and study in that country/city! What is the possible obstacle you have to
face there?
To answer this question, I have asked miss Rahmania from Tadulako University, Palu as a
VUW alumnae. They said the people lived there are quite friendly, helpful, and the most
important one is their tolerance, especially for moslem. There are also provided by prayer
place. While studying, the lecturer only give materials for 30%, other parts filled with
discussion, essay, projects to gain student’s critical thinking. Thesis mentoring by the
supervisor is done with a very intense guidance. On the other hand, it is difficult to find halal
food because it is only provided in asian food and halal butcher, so I have to manage food
stock or cook by myself.
7. What is the topic of your thesis?
The title of my research is the Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change in Strategic
Environmental Assessment in Katingan, Central Kalimantan. This research uses a risk
assessment framework, namely the integration of hazard, vulnerability and risk in certain
relationships that are interrelated. Climate change risk (R) is formulated as an overlay on the
dangers of climate change (hazard; H) and vulnerability to hazards (Vulnerability, V). Hazard
assessment analyzed using administrative map of Indonesia, Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
and land use maps. Vulnerability in this study was obtained from the parameters consisting of
the topography, the level of water use, population density, and social welfare, then be overlaid
with maps of land use.
8. How is your previous study, research and experience relevant to the topic you are proposing?
My previous study is about climate and weather prediction, includes data analysis and spatial
mapping. My undergraduate thesis is about green house gasses emission for regional scale,
which can give recommendation to adaptation and mitigation strategy. I want to continue my
thesis in the same area but with the deeper and wider analysis about risk, vulnerability, and
recommendation of suitable adaptation and mitigation strategy, based on the level of
vulnerability.
9. How can the universities help you for this research?
This university allows me to do my research in Indonesia, with intense guidance by email. I
will also be taught about GIS programming and database to support my spatial planning skill.
Besides, the laboratory research will provide me with free access data from many climate
change international institutes.
10. Have you search for programs at universities that offer what you are looking for?
Yes, certainly this university provides what I look for. All of the course given are suitable to
my educational background and support my future goals.
11. All of your publication are not about the research topic you are proposing. How it could be
relevant to support your study?
Actually, my undergraduate course taught me the basic of spatial planning and vulnerability
analysis. Also, my project experience will support me about my thesis, especially about
mitigation strategy.
12. Your english is not very good. How can you manage to study abroad?
I know that my english is not good but I have been prepare and exercise my English
capability serioulsy. I always listen english conversation 7 hour everyday, watch movie series
and learn grammar. I used to study english on pare, kediri to improve my english. I also teach
my friends about toefl for free, it can be beneficial because I can improve my english as well.
13. Have you contact the professor or do research about the university and its requirement?
Yes, I have contacted with Dr. Kellie Archie. She is one of CCRI staff and lecturer of climate
change mitigation. I’ve sent her my CV, personal statement and brief study plan and she
replies my email and ask me about funding because the universities does not provide it.
14. What were you do since graduated till now?
I used to study in Kediri, pare for six month (August-January). Then I work as a geography
olympiade preparation teacher in SMA 6 Bogor for two month (January to february). I’ve
done toefl test for twice because I’ve failed in the first chance. Then I back to pare for two
weeks studying ielts until march. After that, I teach toefl for free to my friends who have no
chance to go to pare, because I want to success together with my friend. I have also been a
volunteer in my NGO, doing activities as marketing and communication. I can’t be focus in
many activites, so I do light activities which is not interrupt me to prepare for my future
study.
15. Explain about your organization!
Innovation for Indonesia is a non-governmental organization that aims to apply academician
innovation to the world of community development. The program currently includes biogas,
green education, and the development of inotofu as local food innovative products.
16. If you are offered for working in foreign company with high salary, will you accept?
Yes, I will. I’d love to accept this job for a while. Because it will support my carier. I could
get great experience, make a good networking, learn their system working and others. all of
them can support for my vision in the feature and I can adopted what I got from working in
foreign company to work in indonesia
17. Does your parent support you for continuing study?
Yes, my parents support me a lot.
18. What is your type of leadership?
 Leadership type that I always use when I take responsibility as a leader is High Kerjasama. I
will divide assignment equally based on structure that already approve and capabilities of
each team members. So I need to to know character of the team members and I must know it.
To know them usually I approach them personally and give them first task to evaluate them.
When I be a leader of the team I need to make clear jobdesk and target for them to help me in
evaluate their performance.
19. What do you think about nationalism and integrity? How do you prove yours?
Nationalism is loving our country. It means that we will do everything to make our country
better. One of my nationalism evidence is myself as Indonesian youth generation. I am an
Indonesian representative, who is proud to Indonesian product, nature and culture. The little
evidence about my nationalism is being a tour guide of philipine scientist and introduce them
about Bogor Botanical Garden.
20. What is your motto?
If you never do, you never know.
21. What is your parent’s advice that you still remember?
Just do your best and nothing to lose.
22. What is your strength and weakness?
My weakness is I can only focus on one big thing at a time, so I need to make a priority. In
addition, I am a perfectionist and hard on myself, but there is always a neighborhood that
reminds me that I'm a human, and may have to learn from mistakes.
My strength is adaptability. Both environment and diverse range of people's character. I've
lived in marginal environments such as peat forests and dealing directly with the Dayak in
Kalimantan and managed to establish a good relationship with them. In addition, I never gave
up and excited to try new things moreover it can improve myself.