Indonesian Chief Hydrographer, Vice Admiral Nuridayat, presided over the presentation of the 2020 Alexander Dalrymple Award to Vice Admiral Dr Harjo Susmoro at a ceremony in Jakarta on 26 August this year. The award was presented by the United Kingdom’s National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher, on behalf of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

The presentation of the award was delayed by the pandemic and, following the easing of restrictions, the ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Indonesian Hydrographic and Oceanographic Centre, PUSHIDROSAL, in Jakarta.

Vice Admiral Susmoro was Chief Hydrographer of Indonesia between 2016 and 2020; he is currently Secretary General of Indonesia’s National Resilience Council and the first Indonesian recipient of the award in its 15-year history.

Vice Admiral Susmoro was recognised by the UKHO as a result of his exceptional and inspirational leadership of hydrography at both a national and international level. He received the Alexander Dalrymple Award for his outstanding contributions to supporting the development of Indonesia’s marine economy and improving disaster resilience in the region.

As Chief Hydrographer of Indonesia, Susmoro led the transformation of PUSHIDROSAL into one of the world’s leading hydrographic offices. Under his leadership, Indonesia unlocked access to marine data through their national data portal and showed relentless progress in surveying and charting Indonesian waters. In addition to supporting the safety of commercial shipping in the area, PUSHIDROSAL’s survey work unlocked new economic growth, enabling the first cruise ship visits to the islands of Lombok and Benoa.

PUSHIDROSAL played a key role in the search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the tragic Lion Air flight 610, which crashed into the Java Sea in 2018. Furthermore, in the investigations after the Sulawesi earthquake and Anak Krakatau eruption, both of which caused deadly tsunamis, VAdm Susmoro led PUSHIDROSAL’s contribution in developing and improving the tsunami warning system, helping to better protect coastal communities against such natural disasters.

Commenting on the 2020 Alexander Dalrymple Award, Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher, UK National Hydrographer, said: “I am delighted that the 2020 Alexander Dalrymple Award recognises Vice Admiral Susmoro’s outstanding achievements. After a delay caused by the pandemic, I am very pleased to have finally been able to present the award in rightful recognition of his work. Vice Admiral Susmoro’s legacy is writ in the close friendship and collaboration between PUSHIDROSAL and the UKHO and I look forward to continuing our work so that together we can support safe, secure, and thriving oceans.”

Vice Admiral Dr Harjo Susmoro added: “It is a real honour to be presented with this award. Indonesia has demonstrated itself as an active contributor to the region and to the international hydrographic community, and I am humbled to be recognised in this manner and extremely proud of the work of my team.”

Vice Admiral Nurhidyat, Indonesian Chief Hydrographer, further commented: “With the recognition of hydrography as an essential ingredient in the success of the Indonesian economy and the safety of communities, Vice Admiral Dr Harjo Susmoro led the development of technical skills and surveying capabilities both within PUSHIDROSAL and regionally.

“I am delighted that Vice Admiral Susmoro has been recognised with the Alexander Dalrymple Award and I am proud to continue his legacy, particularly in ensuring that the long history of friendship and cooperation between Indonesia and the UK continues to flourish.”

A futuristic robot called Ned will be deployed at this year’s Blackbird Leys Festival to drum-up interest in robotics and engineering as an exciting career path for young people in Oxford.

A team from UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and advanced manufacturing training centre, Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), will be showcasing the latest technology involved in making fusion energy an environmentally responsible part of the world’s future energy supply.

Visitors to the free festival on Saturday 10 September at Blackbird Leys Community Centre (10am – 2pm) will be able to experience a plasma ball, robotic arm and 3D model simulator, to name just a few of the activities on offer.

The festival builds on a summer series of robotics classes that took place at the community centre, where children learned how to program robots to navigate a slalom through to undertaking robot duels.

Laura Bristow, Charity Manager, Blackbird Leys Community Centre, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming even more people to the centre this weekend at our fantastic Blackbird Leys Festival.

“It has been a real asset to our summer project to have the team from UKAEA run the robotics workshops. It is something new and different and really engaging, offering the chance for young people to learn and develop these skills.”

Robotics is a key area of making fusion – based on the same processes that power the sun and stars – a safe, low carbon and sustainable part of the world’s future energy mix.

Rashad Hussain, Group Leader at UKAEA and founding member of community interest company, IbnSina Mindcrafters, delivered the workshops on behalf of UKAEA and training centre, OAS. He said:

“The classes covered the basics of robotics including movement, decision making, looping and sensor feedback. The children were amazed at what they achieved and enjoyed a STEM experience that has hopefully inspired them to consider a career in robotics, fusion or engineering.

“IbnSina Mindcrafters’ mission is to allow all children the opportunity to experience the thrill of creating code to overcome challenges.”

The classes were organised as a part of an access and awareness initiative between UKAEA, OAS and MTC Training, which aims to ensure minority communities are exposed to apprenticeship career options in STEM.

New apprenticeship programmes in space, robotics, data science, energy storage, power engineering and cyber security will be launched by OAS, based at Culham Science Centre, later this year.

OAS is a partnership between UKAEA and the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The two organisations have a history of apprentice training in science and engineering stretching back more than 70 years.

To find out more about OAS and the training courses it offers, including apprenticeships, visit: oas.ukaea.uk. For the latest fusion energy news and opportunities, visit: ccfe.ukaea.uk.

Chevening is the UK government’s international awards programme aimed at developing global leaders.

Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of award – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships – the recipients of which are personally selected by British Embassies and High Commissions throughout the world.

Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world.

Chevening provides fully-funded scholarships, leaving you free to focus on achieving your academic goals and enjoying the experience of a lifetime. You will live and study in the UK for a year, during which time you will develop professionally and academically, grow your network, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.

Applicants from Türkiye can choose any course of study at any UK higher education institution.

If you have ambition, leadership potential, and a strong academic background, we encourage you to apply before 1 November 2022.

Chevening award in Türkiye includes:

• University tuition fees (Chevening applies a tuition fee cap of £22,000 to MBA programmes)
• Round-trip airfare in economy class
• The cost of an entry clearance (visa)
• A monthly living allowance (stipend)
• Additional grants and allowances to cover essential expenditure

Chevening award in Türkiye includes

To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship you must:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
• Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended.
• Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university by the time you submit your application. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK but may be different depending on your course and university choice.
• Have at least two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience.
• Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by 13 July 2023.

*Candidates must meet all requirements of their chosen university, including the English language requirement, and secure an unconditional offer from one of their three course choices by the Chevening deadline.

You are not eligible for a Chevening Scholarship if you

• Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or hold BN(O) and are applying from Hong Kong).
• Hold refugee status in a non-Chevening eligible country. Applicants who are citizens of a Chevening-eligible country and who hold refugee status in a Chevening-eligible country are eligible for a scholarship.
• Are an employee, a former employee, or relative* of an employee of Her Majesty’s Government, or have been within the last two years from the opening of Chevening applications (including British embassies/high commissions; the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy; Department for International Trade; the Ministry of Defence; and the Home Office), or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
• Employees, former employees, or relatives* of an employee of Chevening Partner organisations are eligible to apply, but if the employment took place within the last two years, you cannot receive a Chevening Partner Award from the organisation from which you work, previously worked, or are affiliated with through relatives.
• Have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship.

How to Apply?

All applications for a Chevening Award must be made through the Chevening designated online application system, which can be accessed through Chevening website

If you have a question related to Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships applications please visit the frequently asked questions page.

Chevening Scholarship applications will close on 1 November 2022 at 12:00 GMT (midday UK time).