Fulbright Scholar Recipient: Empowering Urban Planning Across Continents
The Fulbright Program was established with an ambitious goal — to increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. For over 75 years, Fulbright alums have impacted areas such as public service, science and technology, public health, the arts, education, and the environment. Fulbright Scholars - college and university faculty, administrators, researchers, artists, and professionals - build their skills and connections, gain valuable international insights, and return home to share their experiences with their students and colleagues. The Fulbright Scholar Program for academics and professionals awards more than 1,700 fellowships annually, enabling 800 US Scholars to go abroad and 900 Visiting Scholars to the United States (source: https://fulbrightscholars.org/what-fulbright/fulbright-scholar-program).
This semester, the college is delighted to welcome Dr. Surya Tarigan, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Jakarta, Indonesia, from January 20, 2025, to May 20, 2025. He is a dedicated academic and researcher who will conduct research under Dr. Deden Rukmana's supervision. With a Ph.D. obtained seven years ago, Surya reflects on his motivation for pursuing this opportunity: "I felt the need to expand my research experience by taking a visiting scholar opportunity. I've been working on a research project with Dr. Rukmana for two years and gained insight into US academics. Cities in the United States have long been important references in urban planning research, and this is an opportunity to witness US city development as a living lab personally."
During his tenure as a Fulbright Scholar at CAPPA, Surya plans to conduct a detailed comparative study of urban planning challenges in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area (JMA) and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. "The study will examine institutional capability in both agglomerations and evaluate the similarities and differences in urban planning difficulties across Global North and Global South countries," he states. Additionally, Surya is keen to explore the contrasts between private sector-led development in the two nations. Becoming a Fulbright Visiting Scholar is a fantastic opportunity to advance his career and enrich his personal life. He hopes to foster collaboration and network with other researchers in the United States.
Looking ahead, Surya expresses excitement about the potential outcomes following his scholarship experience. "I hope to expand upon my research and maintain connections with US academic institutions for future joint endeavors. My training at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) will enhance my research capacity. As an educator, I aspire to promote US higher education among my students, encouraging them to explore master's and PhD opportunities in the United States."
With an eye toward the future, Surya's ambitions extend to teaching. "One of my main goals as a visiting scholar is to immerse myself in the exceptional culture of US higher education," he explains. "I will attend classes and serve as a guest speaker at UTA, later applying what I learn as a lecturer in the architecture department at Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) in Indonesia." Furthermore, Surya is a Central for Urban Studies (CUS) member, which aims to establish a research hub for urban studies in Southeast Asia. His goal is to strengthen networks with institutions focused on Southeast Asian studies, thereby contributing to the academic landscape in the region.
Reflecting on his journey, Surya shares valuable advice for prospective CAPPA Fulbright applicants: "To be the best, you must first learn from the best. Countless opportunities await those willing to pursue them. Living abroad broadens our perspectives on diverse cultures, and we should always strive to make the best of ourselves and for others." As Surya embarks on this transformative journey as a Fulbright Scholar, his commitment to urban planning research and cross-cultural academic collaboration shines through. He promises a bright career future and represents the mission of academic collaboration at CAPPA.