For decades, Dr Pratikno (PhD SS ’97) had earned an international reputation as one of the world’s leading experts on Indonesian politics – now he is part of it.

In 2014 the Flinders PhD graduate was appointed Indonesia’s Minister of State Secretary, after a distinguished career in research and teaching, most recently as Rektor of Gadjah Mada University.

Dr Pratikno has played a key role in building links between Flinders and Indonesia as part of the University’s Jembatan initiative.

‘Flinders played an important role in my education and I have been delighted to maintain close ongoing links with the University,’ Dr Pratikno said.

Born in a remote Javanese village, the young Pratikno was educated in the house of the village chief before progressing through the conventional school system to university.

After building an outstanding career at Gadjah Mada University, Dr Pratikno came to Flinders in the 1990s to complete his PhD, and has ensured that ties have remained close between Flinders and Indonesia ever since.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Flinders in 2013 in recognition of his distinguished roles in Indonesia and his work to build stronger relations between Flinders and Gadjah Mada University.

‘I have strong confidence that Jembatan will help to deepen people-to-people links between South Australia and Indonesia,’ Dr Pratikno said.

‘I was involved in early discussions to establish Jembatan in Adelaide and will be very happy to do my best to support it for years to come.’