Scholarship / The importance of knowing people in person - it is vital in creating excellent networks. [2]

Chevening Essay on Networking

Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills...

Even in this digital area, I believe meeting people in person is vital in creating excellent networks.

This November, I made it a priority to attend the European Higher Education Fair in Jakarta. Not only do I obtain more information about Chevening and the Universities, I also get a contact that could help me with the visa with no cost if I am accepted later. I also had a coffee with the regional manager of a university that was not participating in the event. We conversed for an hour about the course, the university, and the UK in general. He then able to connect me with Indonesian lecturer in the University and other Indonesia student to allow me get more information about the courses and the university life.

In my working environment, I interact with air traffic controller through the radio on daily basis yet we are not required to meet in person at all. At some point, I feel the need to know them and meet them in person. I had my friends that went to the same school with them introduced me so we were able to meet and discuss our working condition in details. It then helps both of us to develop a better understanding of each other's conditions hence resulted in better communication later. I also ended up getting along with people from other departments in their company such as the navigation and aeronautical information services. Those relationships help me and my co-workers get the bigger picture of how things are working in the airport hence allow better decision making in our day to day job. I believe great networking skill which allows you to connect with necessary individual and develop profound relationships with them are important. Understanding issues from the other side of the wall would make any negotiation or collaboration went more productively.

My active participation in XXX has allowed me to gain broader knowledge about airport management from more advanced airports managers. I managed to have a discussion with the Manager of Dubai Airport in person, sharing about the problems and best practices in Indonesia's airports as well as theirs. I also exchanged inspiring experiences with other professional women from Malaysia and Zambia airport. It was very inspiring to know that globally, professionals in airport industry are eagerly helping out to make developing airports may perform better.

In my future career, my position will require me to connect with various institutions, whether those in air transport industry such as airlines, ground handling, or air navigation companies, and also with various governmental and private institutions regionally and nation-widely.

It would truly be an honour for me to be part of the Chevening networks. To be able to see the world with more diverse perspective, to be connected and goes hand in hand with the global future leaders for the positive cause, and to connect other Cheveners with others of my contacts in order to make way for some influential collaborations.

Scholarship / Leadership & Influence essay for Chevening - decision making in tough circumstances [5]

Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.

meeting the leadership qualification

In 2016, I was appointed as a member of procurement selection team of XXX Airport. The team contains 6 officers from different departments including finance, law, and engineering, and lead by an officer from the procurement department. Being in this team means carry loads of additional works and a huge responsibility. We were responsible for around a hundred procurement selection process annually and since we are a governmental institution, making accidental mistakes through the process may bring us to criminal law. Given the consequences, not many people are willing to do it, but I realized experiencing such challenges will allow me to sharpen certain skills and exposed me to the information I would not have known otherwise.

Little did I know it will then put me in the toughest situation I have ever been in. We were handling the biggest project ever which worth more than £5 million yet the team leader position was vacant due to some management problem. Being most familiar with the subject of the project, I took the charge in managing the team. I analyze the problems that occurred in the process and the void in which the law might get in. I gathered the team into several meetings to make sure everyone was on the same page and involved thoroughly in the decision making. With different backgrounds and broad range differences, I realize it would be best if everyone contributes their thoughts so I encouraged them to do so. It was not common for the team to discuss such technical detail, but I believed it was necessary given the risks I had calculated.

When we reached to an agreement and I report it to the Head of Procurement Department, he rejected the result altogether and accused me of being careless with the selection result, even after I have explained him the logical consequences of his proposed result. With obscure political reason behind it, he gave me hard pressure to alter the result. I try to understand his position and convinced him that I will bring the team to evaluate it one more time. I gathered everyone to inform the circumstances and persuade them that instead of blindly accepting his dictation about the result, we should still stand by the law and regulation but make more detail analysis and risk calculation to support the result so that he can no longer deny it. Everyone was worried of the consequences it might bring, but I assured them that being true to the cause is far more important than following a false order.

It was difficult for him to admit that we have made the right decision, but I reassure him that this time we also have given his option into consideration and found it inadmissible. In my opinion, leadership is not about who has the higher authority, it is about having humility to hear other's opinion and trust them to contribute in the process, willingness to receive the responsibility of having people's back, having a strong principle and the integrity to stand by it, and inspiring others to reach for something that is bigger than themselves.

Scholarship / Profesional Reference Letter for Chevening Scholarship - She has worked well in two airports [7]

writing a Reference Letter on behalf of Ms.XXX

To The High Commission,

I am honoured to provide a reference for Ms.XXX who has applied for the Chevening Scholarship to have Postgraduate Study in the UK. I have been appointed as Non-Terminal Airside Section Head in BB Airport since March 2017 and she has worked directly under my supervision since then. In my previous position in the Head Office of [Company's name], I have also engaged with her in several activities in AA Airport. It is no hesitation that she is a great asset for the company.

Before having her as my subordinate, being in charge of employee rotation in the Head Office, I have heard nothing but the good reports about her performance. Her previous Manager in AA Airport thought highly of her and demand the Head Office not to move her to another Airport. It was only when the Manager nearly retired that we had her transferred to the busier airport that will benefit with her proficiency, BB.

During her time in AA Airport, I had a chance to work with her on the assessment of new taxiway by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and on the Annual Performance Check conducted by the Head Office. She was very helpful and dependable. She developed good communication with DGCA and has a take-charge personality. It was a pleasure to work with her.

It is not until I have been a direct supervisor of her in BB Airport that I can attest her broad range of skills. She has a wide range of knowledge, learn very quickly, communicate her ideas clearly, and completely loyal and trustworthy.

Her latest key assignment was being the person in charge at "APEX in Safety", a peer review program conducted by Airport Council International (ACI) held in the last August. The airport's facilities compliance were reviewed by a Compliance Manager of Dubai Airport. Her comprehensive understanding of the airport facilities compliance with international and national regulations, good verbal communication skill in English, and ability to take responsible well enable her to perform the assignment satisfactorily even with little if not none supervision.

She also has a respectful manner that allows her to easily get along with others, not only her co-worker but also with people from other departments and other stakeholders that involved in the airport. It is a very helpful trait since our day-to-day works heavily involve another department or parties.

I have every confidence in her. I firmly believe obtaining a Master Degree in Air Transport Study in the UK and being connected to Chevening Network will provide her great opportunity that will benefit not only her self but also to Indonesia's Air Transport Industry.

I hope this information proves helpful. Should you require any information regarding XXX's qualification, please do not hesitate to contact me at the email address listed below.

Best regards,

Scholarship / Developing Country's Airports is my long tearm goal [10]

Chevening is looking for individuals who have a clear post-study career plan. Please outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer-term career goals.

You may wish to consider how these relate to what the UK government is doing in your country.
(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

I focus on Air Transportation in Indonesia

Air Transportation in Indonesia is expected to continue growing rapidly. The annual passenger has increased almost 15% within 5 years, from 144 million in 2011 to 165 million in 2015. The country has nearly 250 civil airports across the country, but more than 60% of those passenger number is traveled only through 5 airports, all are operated by two state-owned company, Angkasa Pura I and Angkasa Pura II. Separated between the western and eastern part of Indonesia, they each operate 13 airports within the country.

Unless I am studying for a Master Degree, it is inevitable for me to be a Civil Airside Section Head in one of 13 airports that are operated by Angkasa Pura I by next year. Its responsibilities are making sure every airside facility in an airport are provided, comply with the regulations, and well maintained. With the ever-growing aircraft movements, the demand for additional airside facilities in operating airports has increased significantly. New taxiways, terminals, and apron expansions are constructed every year in the last 5 years. New runways are also already planned to be built in 3 of the major airports operated by Angkasa Pura I. Greenfield projects on building a new airport is also underway and highly expected in the future. It is only sensible that I need to expand my network among airports professional around the globe so I can acknowledge the companies that have great services within the industry, especially design/consultancy firms and training provider. The lack of human resources specializing in Airport has been a long serious problem in the country.

Since horizontal department transfer between facilities and airport planning is very common in the company, I look forward to be a senior manager in Airport Planning in the next 7 years. With a civil engineering background, experiences both in the field and in managerial position through several different-sized airports, and hopefully a Master degree in Airport Planning or Air Transport Management, I expect to develop a sustainable airport masterplan that will not only benefit the economy but also the environment and people's life quality.

In the long term, I have a strong interest in being the first woman General Manager of an Airport in Indonesia ever since I worked in Angkasa Pura I. Be an airport's General Manager do not only counts for leading the airport operator company, he/she is also responsible for a harmonious 'orchestra' of several entities that resides in the airport such as airlines, ground handlings, custom and immigration, air navigation, or even the army.

Having those possibilities wide open, I aspire highly to obtain the opportunity to study a Master Degree in Air Transport and develop strong networking with professionals in the airport industry as well as the Chevening community.

Scholarship / Appliance in the Scholarship from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK - Reference Letter [4]

Reference Letter for Chevening Scholarship

To The High Commission,

I am pleased to provide a reference for XXX, regarding her appliance in the Chevening Scholarship Program from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK. I was her Academic Advisor during her Undergraduate study majoring in Civil Engineering at XXX back in 2007 to 2011. Due to my specialty field in Airport Pavement, we also occasionally engaged in professional manner in the last two years.

As her Academic Advisor, I was involved in her study development along her 4 years of study. I can proudly say she has made continuous improvement throughout the year. She is a hardworking students that involved intensively in the Civil Engineering Student Association and another extracurricular activities yet in the same time improved her marks in class. She also got an impressive feedback regarding her two months internship in XXX as part of the University program. She was also a student in my classes namely Construction Material Engineering and Intermoda Infrastructure Engineering. She has proved her ability to work well both on individual and teamwork assignment which includes creating a basic design of an airport for its final assignment.

Working for an airport operator company, XXX was participating in 5 days workshop of COMFAA and FAARFFIELD familiarization which invites me as the sole speaker. She has shown her enthusiast and well understanding of the airport problems during the events. She engaged actively and asked discerning questions. By the end of the event, it was not surprising that she was chosen as the best participant.

She also worked in an ongoing project of Runway Overlaying in XXX which involves me as the Analyst Consultant. We met at several meetings regarding the project and she has shown her improvement of understanding in the field as well as her analytical thinking. She has addressed the project's problems clearly and propose the possible solution accordingly.

I have my faith in XXX's career path in the short and long run. With her sincere enthusiast in the field, her abilities, and her attitude, it is expected of her to bring some remarkable change in Indonesia's Air Transport Industry. Therefore I give my full support for her to pursue Master Degree at Air Transport Study in UK with the support of your institution. She will be a great asset to your institution, as well as her country. I highly recommend her without reservation.

Best regards,

XXX

Scholarship / Chevening Essay on Study in UK - I wanted to develop my country through the airport industry [3]

Outline why you have selected your chosen three university courses, and explain how this relates to your previous academic or professional experience and your plans for the future.

*Please do not duplicate the information you have entered on the work experience and education section of this form
(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

Airport and Air Transport Management

I believe we should be the change we wish to see in this world. Due to the inadequate human resources in Indonesia's airport industry, it is actually inevitable for me to be at senior management in a short time period. By doing postgraduate study in one of these university, I wish to widen my knowledge and networking in Air Transport Industry so that I am more equipped in that position and able to bring positive cause for the industry. Since the number of person that has obtain a master degree in Air Transport subject in Indonesia is somewhere close to none, I also wish to share my knowledge and network with others, not only among airport operator companies but also with the government and other organization in air transport industry.

My first preference is to study Airport Planning and Management in Cranfield University. It is a pure postgraduate university that has very specialized major so I can expect to be learning from and with the best in the field. It also has excellent approach both in research and industry worlds. Located in the countryside would means there will be close relationship among students. A strong sense of community where everybody seems to know every other person will allow me to develop strong and extensive networking that I need. It is also the only university in UK that has specialized major in Airport study and has its own airfield. The modules cover everything that I need, from the regulation and planning, to market analysis, operation and design.

My second university of choice is Air Transport Planning and Management in Loughborough University. It ranks as the 9th in the UK for Civil Engineering by The Times Good University Guide 2017. It also has impressive list of modules. One of it, "Airport, Cities, and Development" will be the most interesting one since many of Indonesia's regions are still underdeveloped and the airport plays important role in that aspects. The Policy Planning and Design for Air Transport will be the most beneficial due to my background in civil engineering and it will be expected for me to be able to develop airport planning and design upon my return.

My third option is Air Transport Management in University of Westminster. Its Air Transport Forecasting and Market Research modules will allow me to understand more of air transport demand therefore enable better prediction of market growth hence provide appropriate airport development accordingly. It also offers Airport Finance and Strategy as an option modules that I will surely take. I do hope to turn several loss airports into profit one. Learning certain things about airlines such as its regulation, operation, or business models also will put me in better position upon coordinating with them. In the end, airports and airlines are strongly interrelated. A well-formed coordination between them will bring great benefit not only for the airport and airline business but also for the country's economy.

Scholarship / Chevening Essay on Networking - understanding the importance of networking, I arranged this [3]

Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community and influence and lead others in their chosen profession. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your networking skills, and outline how you hope to use these skills in the future.

(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

I formed a sharing program

Several months ago, my fellow classmates held a 10 years homecoming celebration. I was appointed as the event leader. Me and the team tried our best to make sure as many people come to the event that we decided to contact and invite everyone personally. The result was astounding. Out of 164 civil engineers of class 2007, more than half of them made it to the event. It was surely a good number since most of the other halves were living overseas or in work duty that day.

We realize that keeping strong networking is very important for the long run, and having a success first homecoming will affect the next and more to come. So despite the immense workload at our work place, we tried to squeeze time in order making it a memorable one.

Reading up the alumni database, I recognized that even though all of us were graduated as civil engineers, we actually had turned in rather diverse fields. I realized this as a valuable asset and decided to bring it out so everyone could benefit from it.

So I arranged a sharing program, divided into 4 session: energy, transportation, construction, and education. For the energy session we had those who works at either national or multinational oil company, as well as those who works in renewable and non-renewable energy. In transportation session we had those involving in land, air, and water transportation. In construction session we had those who works at either national or multinational contractors and consultants, as well as those who works in governmental and private developers. Lastly, in education session we had our Ph.D. graduates, researcher, and lecturer. Since I also found it important to know the rest of our colleagues' current work fields, I arranged the giving away door prize session into moments where everyone might stand up and briefly present themselves.

A sense of contentment run through me, seeing how everyone were enthusiast on participating that day. This would create a good basis that enable further excellent collaboration. By the end of the event, we did not only get to catch up with everybody's current live and feel closer to one another, we also had a vast knowledge and got to understand various things from different perspectives.

If a class of civil engineering from one university can produce such thing, I can only imagine what a vary backgrounds of Chevening community can bring. I believe a group of people with a diverse specialty of knowledge that have the same dream of making the world a much better place can go a long mile. I do have a strong wish to be part of that and make notable collaboration in improving Indonesia's air transportation industry and the safety of air transportation globally.

In the end, I believe that if one want to go fast, they could always go alone. But if one want to go far, then one must go together.