RONNY ADHIKARYA, Ph.D.
Biography
Ronny was an award-winning journalist with more than a 50-year career in international development. He has served in various strategic roles in several international organizations, including the World Bank and United Nations/FAO, for which he undertook official missions to more than 50 countries and visited more than 100 countries since 1972.
Known as a global storyteller and author, Dr. Adhikarya is often invited to speak at international fora, and conduct public lectures, on wide-ranging topics. As an author, he had written books and other publications on communications and other subjects that are published in Germany, Italy, England, USA, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, available in English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Chinese languages.
Since his retirement in 2003 until 2022, he has given public lectures in at least 28 countries on wide-ranging topics including challenges of digital disruption, application of AI technology, and its impacts on education, business, shared economy, virtual education and communication, tacit knowledge brokering, edupreneurship, generational conflicts, as well as societal and cultural cohesion.
Experience
Originally from Indonesia, Dr. Adhikarya was a Journalist for Daily Indonesia Raya (1968-1971). He began his international career at the East-West Center, Hawaii, USA, in 1972 at the age of 23, where he gained invaluable tacit knowledge in communication and education in international development context, and built an extensive global network with which he leveraged as his expertise throughout his professional career, including a 2 year teaching assignment at the University of Science Malaysia (USM), in Penang, and various international consultancies with UNESCO, UNFPA, Ford Foundation, USAID, and others.
Dr. Adhikarya was appointed as Senior Specialist in charge of global extension, education, and training at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome, Italy for 15 years (1981-1996). He then served as a Manager at the World Bank in Washington D.C., USA, and retired in 2003. He was reappointed as FAO/United Nations Representative with Ambassador-level credentials in Pakistan (2003-2005).
Dr. Adhikarya has also served on executive and advisory boards in Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Indonesia, the UK, and the US.
Semi-retired, he moved from the Silicon Valley of California to Honolulu, Hawaii in 2021 and now serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (HICHAM) and the Executive Board of the East-West Center Association (EWCA). He has established the R-Adhikarya “Niche” Awards (RANA) at the East-West Center (EWC), Stanford University, and Cornell University.
The RANA Program is an annual program since 2020 to reward and recognize smart, innovative and competitive young students to learn, explore, and apply disruptive ideas and “niche” innovative thinking in various fields of study and career paths.
Education
- Master’s degree (MPS) in Communication, Cornell University (1972)
- Ph.D. degree in Communication, Stanford University, USA (1981)
meet Dr. Ronny Adhikarya
other team members
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Dr. Marzuki Darusman
Chairman of the Senior Advisory CouncilDr. Marzuki Darusman is a prominent Indonesian political figure recognized for his extraordinary contributions to domestic and international human rights. He is an active participant in international seminars and conferences for bilateral state relations, as well as global security issues.
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Teuku Mohammad Hamzah Thayeb
Senior AdvisorAmbassador Teuku Mohammad Hamzah Thayeb has over four decades of experience as a distinguished career diplomat. As a member of the Senior Advisory Council of Kiroyan Partners, he brings his expertise in Foreign Affairs and international issues to our team.
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Dr. Muhammad A.S. Hikam
Senior AdvisorDr. Muhammad Atho’illah Shohibul Hikam, MA, APU, is an expert in Indonesian politics and government as well as international relations with extensive and diverse education in communications and political science, among other areas.
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Rear Admiral (Retired)Yoost F. Mengko
Senior AdvisorRear Admiral Yoost Frederiek Mengko has held a wide range of field, administrative, and overseas postings for the Indonesian military. He has been involved in numerous overseas conferences and seminars and served on a number of delegations during bilateral and multilateral talks.