Coming from a small town in Indonesia, I never imagined a PhD was possible.
But on 19 September 2025, I was officially conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability Science from The University of Tokyo.

The journey was far from smooth. It was filled with hardship, stress, and moments when I almost gave up. Nevertheless, it was full of growth, humbling experiences, and so much learning I could not have gained without pursuing the highest academic degree.

Looking back, I still remember saying in lower-secondary school that my dream was to become a scientist. What once seemed like a distant dream has now become reality. This is proof that every big dream is achievable with conviction and hard work.

“It takes a village to raise a doctor”. This milestone would not have been possible without the support of my family, friends, supervisor, and mentors. I am forever grateful for their encouragement throughout the journey.

From next month, I will begin working as a postdoctoral researcher with my supervisor, Professor Yuto Kitamura, supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. I look forward to continuing my work on enhancing climate resilience, especially among young people, through research, education, and advocacy.