Risti masters her international education

Graduations

Indonesian graduate Risti Permani is proof of the impact international education can bring.

Risti, 23, comes from Bogor in Indonesia and already has a Bachelor of Science from Institut Pertanian Bogor (Bogor Agricultural University).

Last year she completed her Master of Economics at the University of Adelaide, and even more impressively, had the rare honour of being macebearer at her Adelaide graduation ceremony. This honour is given only to the most outstanding students graduating each year.

Since graduating, she has returned to Indonesia to spend time with her family before beginning her PhD. She has also been involved with research work led by the Head of the University of Adelaide's School of Economics, Professor Christopher Findlay. This research is focused on trade between the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

Risti will return to the University of Adelaide this year to begin her PhD in the field of econometrics, as well as working part-time as a tutor in the University's School of Economics.

"Studying at the University of Adelaide opened my eyes to the difference that education can make," Risti said. "I have learnt so much already in my time at the University, and it's fantastic to be able to come home to Indonesia to put the skills and knowledge I have gained into practice."

Professor Findlay said Risti is an exceptional student who is likely to achieve even more in her future career.

"We are very lucky to have someone of Risti's calibre in our School," Professor Findlay said. "She is a delightful, hard-working and brilliant student, and I have no doubts that she will go on to bring much more credit to herself and Indonesia."

Story by Ben Osborne