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UNAIR NEWS – Nicolas Cikho Entsanerga, better known as Nico, a student from the Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FTMM), is currently in the United States as part of the prestigious Global Leadership Program 2024. Organized by the USA Chapter of Alumni Association (IKA UNAIR), this program focuses on career and leadership development.

Nico’s participation in the program follows his achievement as runner-up in the Global Career Challenge 2023, an initiative designed to empower UNAIR students in advancing their careers. This year’s Global Leadership Program is sponsored by Indonesia Lighthouse, a nonprofit organization founded by IKA UNAIR USA members Ari Sufiati and Dian Widhiati.

The program features a month-long series of in-person mentoring sessions, running from October 31 through November 30, 2024. During the first week, Nico explored California under the guidance of Ari Sufiati, a Communication Science graduate who now serves as a Senior Project Manager at Apple.

Immersed in California’s cultural diversity

Nico arrived in California on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, and the following day experienced a lively Halloween celebration. In Morgan Hill, California, homes were adorned with spooky decorations, transforming neighborhoods into festive Halloween settings. As night fell, children in costumes visited homes for Trick-or-Treating.

Throughout his first week, Nico immersed himself in California’s cultural diversity. The state, long recognized as one of the most multicultural in the United States, serves as a melting pot of global influences.

This diversity is especially evident in its culinary offerings, with restaurants serving authentic dishes from Korea, Thailand, Mexico, the Middle East, and many other regions. “California’s diversity is incredible—it makes the state so colorful and unique,” Nico remarked.

Meeting inspiring diaspora leaders

Nico also had the opportunity to meet prominent members of the Indonesian diaspora in California. Among them was Prof. George Anwar, a highly regarded professor in UC Berkeley’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Prof. Anwar, whose given name is Djoji Anwar, earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and later pursued master’s and doctoral degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

During their meeting, Prof. Anwar shared his extensive experience in engineering, particularly in the field of mechatronics. This resonated with Nico’s academic background in Robotics Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. Their discussion covered a range of topics, including robotics advancements in the U.S. and Indonesia, career prospects, and Prof. Anwar’s inspiring academic journey.

Nico also connected with Victor, an Indonesian-born AI engineer from Kalimantan who formerly worked at Apple, contributing to projects like Siri and Apple Intelligence. Victor is now employed at a California-based startup specializing in AI and transportation technologies.

Together, they discussed the challenges and opportunities of advancing AI in Indonesia, with Victor offering Nico valuable career advice. “It was an honor to meet Prof. Anwar and Victor. They’re brilliant and approachable, and I learned so much from them,” Nico said.

Author: Wahidah Mevi Nihayah

Editor: Yulia Rohmawati