His interest in energy issues and sustainable economic development has led Naufal Mohamad Firdausyan to receive a scholarship from the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) to pursue a master’s degree. Naufal, an alumnus of the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) from the class of 2019, was admitted to a double degree programme combining the Master of Development Economics (MEP) at FEB UGM with the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow.
After graduating in August 2023, Naufal did not immediately continue his studies. Instead, he chose to actively engage in research and community service at the Center for Energy Studies (PSE) UGM. There, he focused on downstream oil and gas governance, energy transition, and the evaluation of national energy policies. His experience includes quantitative data processing, primary field research, and coordination with various partners, including government institutions.
According to him, mineral downstreaming and resource-based development projects require an approach that not only assesses economic benefits but also accounts for the accompanying social costs. Environmental valuation is a vital tool for ensuring that ecological degradation receives due consideration in policy formulation.
“Often, we calculate industrial value added without seriously incorporating the value of environmental damage into policy considerations. That is where the urgency of environmental valuation lies,” Naufal explained.
He demonstrated his commitment to deepening his understanding of this issue by continuing his studies at MEP FEB UGM, specialising in sustainable economic development. The program provides strong theoretical and methodological foundations, particularly in financial theories, public policy analysis, and quantitative approaches for impact evaluation. Through this double degree program, Naufal spends his first year at MEP FEB UGM. In the second year, he will pursue a Master of Science in Environment and Sustainable Development at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, which emphasizes integrating environmental aspects into economic development frameworks.
He also considers the double degree scheme strategic for institutional relations. The program strengthens academic cooperation between Universitas Gadjah Mada and the University of Glasgow while opening opportunities for cross-country research collaboration. He views studying in two different education systems as a “double exposure” experience that broadens both perspective and professional networks.
He decided to pursue further studies and started preparing to apply for the LPDP scholarship, which would begin in late 2024. He applied in Batch 1 of 2025, alongside his application to UGM’s postgraduate program. He prepared various administrative documents, including his diploma, academic transcripts, IELTS certificate, curriculum vitae, and essays. The main challenge lay in synchronizing the timelines between university and LPDP applications, particularly in obtaining the Letter of Acceptance (LoA).
According to Naufal, the most challenging part was drafting a focused and well-directed essay. He emphasized the importance of clearly demonstrating one’s positioning and relevance to current conditions. In his essay, he highlighted the urgency of strengthening Indonesia’s capacity to value the environment. This topic stemmed from his research experience in the oil, gas, and mining sectors, and he outlined how further study would enhance his analytical capacity to address these issues. He believes this approach is more realistic than making abstract promises of large-scale change.
“The essay is the core of the assessment because it shows the direction of study and the contribution one can make. I worked on it for nearly two weeks, discussing it with friends and LPDP alumni to ensure the Statement of Intent was clear and academically and practically strong,” he said.
Beyond academic readiness, he also underscored the importance of being meticulous in completing administrative documents, managing time between university and LPDP applications, and maintaining mental preparedness to face an intensive selection process.
Being awarded the scholarship on his first attempt was a moment of gratitude. However, he stressed that the achievement was not solely his own. Family support played a crucial role in his journey. Naufal also recognizes that an academic journey is not merely about formal achievements, but about consistently completing what one has started.
Through this double-degree program, Naufal hopes to deepen his research capacity in natural resource economics and sustainable development. He sees advanced education not as an end goal, but as an instrument to strengthen comprehensive analytical competence by combining theoretical rigor, methodological precision, and sensitivity to social and environmental implications.
Reporter: Dwi Zhafirah Meiliani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Sustainable Development Goals
