Fany Fernita, a student from the Bachelor of Public Administration Program at Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR), was selected as one of only seven Indonesian delegates to participate in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship Fall 2022 – Civic Engagement Cohort. The prestigious five-week exchange program, held from October 1 to November 4, 2022, was organized by the U.S. Department of State and hosted by Portland State University (PSU) in Portland, Oregon, United States.
The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is designed to strengthen the leadership and professional competencies of emerging leaders from Southeast Asia through intensive academic and experiential learning. Throughout the program, participants engaged in seminars, lectures, group presentations, collaborative discussions, and other intensive learning activities focusing on civic engagement, leadership, and community development.
As part of the fellowship, Fany also participated in field visits with Portland State University’s community partners, where delegates observed the work of various non-governmental organizations and learned about the role of the Portland City Council in promoting civic engagement and community participation. Beyond classroom activities, the program also included educational and cultural experiences that introduced participants to Portland’s smart city development initiatives and urban governance practices.
The knowledge and experience gained through the fellowship are expected to strengthen Fany’s leadership capacity and support her contributions to social organizations and public sector initiatives. The program also provided valuable insights into civic engagement that complement her role as a young ASEAN leader through her leadership in GenRe Indonesia, Malinau Regency.
This achievement reflects the commitment of the Bachelor of Public Administration Program at UNPAR to encouraging students to participate in international leadership programs and to develop the knowledge, skills, and global perspectives needed to address contemporary public administration challenges.
Bachelor of Public Administration Program
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Parahyangan Catholic University