Like a pair of bird wings. Determination and prayer are one wing. The other wing is effort. When both wings flap, even very quickly, the results are guaranteed. This is what Junaida Astina, a Nutrition Science major at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), has done.
Junaida, a 2009 KSE Scholarship alumna, has a father who works as a private employee with a modest income. Seeing this situation, she was determined from the start of her studies to complete her degree at her own expense without burdening her parents. It was not without reason that she had this intention.
This was simply because he understood that the cost of living and education was not cheap, and what’s more, his younger and older siblings were also still in college at that time.
Every month, Junaida would visit the Directorate of Student Affairs (Ditmawa) at IPB, which handles scholarships, to register and inquire about scholarships. Junaida’s determination led her to be accepted for the KSE scholarship until she graduated with a bachelor’s degree with honours. During her time as a KSE scholarship recipient, Junaida was known as a friendly, cheerful woman who was always smiling. This is what made her have many friends and an extensive network of contacts.
After striving to spread her wings and graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, and working as a Brand Communication Executive at PT. Amerta Indah Otsuka, Junaida did not stop there.
Junaida began to spread her wings again, now further and faster. She continued her studies by enrolling in a fast-track programme up to PhD level at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
While studying there, he was also active as a teaching assistant in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Chulalongkorn University, and served as Secretary for PPI Thailand (Overseas Indonesian Students’ Association Alliance in Thailand).
Thanks to prayers and hard work, Junaida graduated and obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General, and is now ready to become a nutritionist in Indonesia. She also aspires to become a lecturer and researcher in nutrition and become a world-renowned expert in the field.
Currently, Junaida works at the Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Chulalongkorn University. One of her research papers, entitled ‘The Effect of Nutritional Status and Anaemia Status on the Short-Term Memory of Students at Sdn Pasanggrahan 1, Purwakarta Regency’, is expected to contribute to the advancement of nutrition in Indonesia. Additionally, Junaida is actively involved in the MPASI Clinic (an online class) for mothers in Indonesia who require nutritional guidance for their children. She remains determined to continue spreading her wings as high as the sky and sharing her knowledge and achievements for the advancement of the Indonesian nation.
In addition to being active in the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Human Ecology at IPB, the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences, and various other campus organisations, Junaida is also an active member of the IPB KSE Association.
In order to further develop his skills, he often attends various seminars and training courses, including those organised by KSE, one of which was the KSE Social Entrepreneurship Camp 2012.
This woman from Banten has achieved many accomplishments, one of which is winning the XXIV National Scientific Week and Student Creativity Program (PKM) in the field of Community Service with the title “Health Education Games and Environmental Action in Order to Create Agents of Change from an Early Age”.
“The KSE scholarship is one of my motivations to remain committed to pursuing knowledge and my aspirations to advance the nation.”