The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University will be expanding its support for policy research and educational programming in Asia, and will also be developing a new Indonesia program, with the help of a $20.5 million gift from a leading Asian company.
The gift from the Rajawali Foundation, the charitable arm of the PT Rajawali Corporation – one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates – will help enhance research, teaching and training on public policy and governance issues in Asia. Additionally, the permanently endowed Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia will bring together academics and practitioners from around the world, according to the school.
"The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia at Harvard Kennedy School will create opportunities for Harvard scholars and students to work with people and institutions throughout the Asian continent," said Harvard University President Drew Faust. "It will serve as a hub for policy research, education and dialogue on a region which continues to grow in political and economic influence."
A separate gift announced at the same time establishes a new Harvard Kennedy School Indonesia Program within the institute, which will promote research, education and capacity building in support of democratic governance and institutional transformation in Southeast Asia.
Asian scholars and practitioners will spend time at the center as research fellows, attending symposia and participating in executive education and policy dialogue programs.
Linking several Kennedy School Asian-focused programs such as the China Public Policy Program, the Vietnam Program, and Asia Vision 21, the Indonesia Program will host Indonesian scholars and policy-makers who will undertake research fellowships and attend both degree courses and executive education programs. Harvard scholars will work in collaboration with Indonesian colleagues in Indonesia and will participate in events both in Indonesia and at Harvard, the school said.
The gift, which ranks in the school’s history among the top five largest, includes $10.5 million as an endowment for the new Asia institute and another $10 million – with each spread over five years – to fund Indonesia-related activities, according to reports. 