MGA Day 2025

Organisation Description Mata Garuda, the organisation of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship recipients, is a foundation initiated by the LPDP scholarship awardees. Since 2015, Mata Garuda has been innovating to ensure that LPDP scholarship recipients can collaborate and establish cooperative relationships in a progressive, accommodating, and solution-oriented manner for a better Indonesia. In its journey, Mata Garuda aspires to be an accelerator in optimising networks and enhancing the skills of LPDP awardees, especially through various career-related events, educational events, and networking events. In 2022, Mata Garuda established the Mata Garuda International network, starting with the formation of Mata Garuda America (MGA) for the United States of America and Canada. Mata Garuda America (MG Amerika) remains committed to supporting the presence and contributions of LPDP for a more advanced, equitable, and global Indonesian nation. Currently, Mata Garuda Amerika manages various activities for more than 1,000 active Indonesian students who have received LPDP scholarships across various disciplines at universities in the United States and Canada. Since its establishment, Mata Garuda Amerika has forged partnerships with various companies, organisations, and renowned figures worldwide, such as: Mr. Wempi Saputra, the Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Voting Group at the World Bank Group, and Indonesian practitioners at the World Bank attended collaborations with the World Bank regarding networking opportunities and company visits at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. Career Development activities attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Rosan Roeslani, as well as collaborations with various organisations such as the World Bank, Indonesian Lighthouse, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and Paragon Corp. Strengthening Indonesian Talent Abroad Mata Garuda Day is a flagship initiative designed to connect and empower Indonesian scholars and professionals abroad. The event celebrates the global achievements of Indonesian talent while fostering dialogue on leadership, careers, entrepreneurship, and Indonesia’s role on the international stage. With the theme “Bridging Dreams and Building Futures: Empowering Indonesian Talent for Global Success,” the 2025 edition emphasized three key pillars: Global Impact – Amplifying Indonesian voices and contributions in global industries and institutions. Entrepreneurial Innovation – Showcasing Indonesian-led ventures and strategies for scaling ideas internationally. Strategic Empowerment – Strengthening leadership, professional growth, and career readiness for global competitiveness. Participation and Reach The event successfully engaged around 70 participants, both online and offline, and connected attendees with Indonesian professionals and immigration experts to provide practical insights into: The U.S. job market Career pathways for international students Immigration and visa options for working in the United States Participants included: Active LPDP Awardees (Master’s and PhD) Indonesian professionals working in global institutions and companies Representatives from KJRI New York Event Details Date: Saturday–Sunday, 26–27 April 2025 Time: 11.00 AM – 8.00 PM EDT Venue: KJRI New York, 5 E 68th St, New York, NY 10065 Inspiring Agenda and Discussions The program featured keynote talks, panel discussions, and a career-focused workshop, covering leadership, global careers, entrepreneurship, and immigration pathways. Key Sessions Included: Leadership and Identity – Exploring how Indonesian values shape global leadership. Nationality and Entrepreneurship – Reflections on innovation, contribution, and national identity. Global Career Pathways – Insights from Indonesian professionals working in finance, technology, and engineering at leading global firms. Entrepreneurship and Scaling Globally – Lessons from founders and investors navigating the U.S. ecosystem. Career & Immigration Workshop – Practical guidance on securing opportunities and understanding U.S. work visas. The event concluded with a networking dinner and togetherness night, creating space for meaningful connections and collaboration among participants. Discussion Panels The event featured a series of panel discussions designed to address both the practical and reflective aspects of studying and living abroad. Each panel brought together speakers with diverse academic backgrounds and professional experiences, allowing participants to gain well-rounded perspectives. Panel Discussion – Discover and Apply Your Strengths To Meet Global Needs (I) Mikael Putranto – Relationship Banker at Bank of America, shares how developing interpersonal and communication skills early on can open doors to global opportunities in the financial sector. Sherley Soraya Wijaya – Sr. UX Designer at JP Morgan Chase & Co., explaining how design thinking and continuous learning helped her navigate a successful international tech career. Benediktus Brian Prasetya – Associate at BlackRock, reflecting on how analytical thinking, networking, and global exposure can accelerate a career in finance from Indonesia to Wall Street. Jessica Limarga – WW Portfolio Manager & Process Engineer at HP, discussing how to identify and apply personal strengths to contribute to global needs. Panel Discussion – Discover and Apply Your Strengths To Meet Global Needs (II) Armaya Doremi – Founder/CEO of Ayamra Media LLC, shared her journey in launching a purpose-driven media company in the U.S. and how storytelling can become a powerful vehicle for impact and cross-cultural connection. Agus Sudjianto – SVP at H2O.ai, discussed how deep expertise in AI and risk modeling led to tech innovation with entrepreneurial potential in a competitive U.S. market. Fauzan Reza Maulana – Co-Founder/CGO at CoffeeSpace, reflects on his experience building a global tech platform to support remote workers and how he scaled his venture from Indonesia to the U.S. ecosystem. Nabila Saad – Venture Capital, offering insights on navigating the startup-investor landscape in the U.S. and how Indonesian founders can position themselves to attract funding and grow sustainably. Career Workshop – Navigating Opportunities in the U.S. Speakers: Ari Sufianti – Indonesian professional at Apple, leading the session on key insights for securing career opportunities in the U.S. Lia Sundah Suntoso – Indonesian professional at U.S. Immigration, providing expert guidance on legal processes for working in the U.S. Building Community and Shared Purpose More than a networking event, Mata Garuda Day - NYC 2025 served as a platform to strengthen community, foster mutual support, and inspire Indonesian talent to turn global exposure into meaningful impact. Through open dialogue, shared experiences, and collective vision, the event reaffirmed Mata Garuda’s mission to act as an accelerator for collaboration, professional development, and global contribution among LPDP awardees and Indonesian professionals. As Indonesian talent continues to grow and thrive worldwide, Mata Garuda Day stands as a reminder that global success is most powerful when it remains rooted in shared values, collaboration, and a commitment to Indonesia’s future. Follow Mata Garuda Amerika on Instagram and LinkedIn for upcoming updates!