About Saksara
Our goal is simple. We believe that people are the key to sustainable development in Indonesia. Saksara contributes to Indonesia through our work in education, research and employment. These foci are intertwined in both life and in our organisation. Our research generates evidence and insights, our work in education helps facilitate opportunities for graduates, and our work in employment provides dignity of work and sustainable economic growth.
We work with some of the world's leading universities, agencies and organisations to lead, support and establish bilateral research collaborations to solve some of the biggest challenges for humankind. We work with students and parents to counsel and advise on global higher education and internship opportunities. We work with research candidates and university professors to ensure high quality supervision and high impact research outcomes. We work with the international business and corporate sector to develop a strategic presence in Indonesia through the assisted employment of local staff in key areas of strategic engagement.
About The Name
Saksara is an ancient Sanskrit word that means "one who is conversant with literature... or well read". In modern Bahasa Indonesia, its derivative word 'aksara' has survived and translates to English as 'script'. The name Saksara reflects what our organisation's endeavours are all about.
The people behind Saksara
Shaun Wellbourne-Wood
(Saksara Group CEO and Saksara Research Director)
Shaun has more than 20 years experience within international education. He leads all of the Saksara Research projects, and also represents the Australian Technology Network of universities (ATN) throughout ASEAN. The ATN is a consortium of Australia’s leading technology and innovation universities and includes Curtin University, RMIT, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and The University of South Australia (UniSA).
Prior to launching Saksara, Shaun was the Director of International Development for the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Western Australia (2005-2013). Between 2010-2013 he was also Director of the International Science for our Future Festival, an initiative involving Nobel laureate, Professor Barry Marshall, Former WA Premier and Federal Health Minister, Professor Carmen Lawrence, renowned biomedical physicist and winner of the Clunies Ross Science Award, Professor Tim St Pierre, and Order of Australia Medal recipient for his services to Agricultural Science, Professor Kadambot Siddique. The festival promoted scientific literacy and research to students throughout Asia, with thousands of students attending events in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Prior to returning to Australia, Shaun was based in the Seychelles and Botswana, where he was teaching in the UN and World Bank funded programs in science and technology education, and researching international development issues related to technology for a PhD in Education. Shaun was also formally a secondary school teacher of science, technology and design, and holds a First Class Honours Degree in Education.
Shaun has studied, lived and worked in Australia, UK, France, Botswana, Seychelles and Indonesia, and has now travelled to more than 100 countries throughout the world. Other than working, Shaun loves to play music, read and travel to new and undiscovered parts of the planet.
Arlina Suryani
(Saksara Group Director and Saksara Education Director)
After a graduate career with international consulting and auditing firm Arthur Andersen, Arlina began her long career within international education. She has worked extensively in both Indonesia and Australia.
Arlina assisted in the establishment of Jakarta International College, the Indonesian provider of Monash College and Monash Foundation Year. She was the manager of marketing and admission from 2002-2007. Arlina then moved into the education agency aspect of international education, becoming general manager of the Sri Lankan operations for one of India’s largest education agencies, with more than 17 branches. After returning to Indonesia, Arlina became the Director and Co-Owner of an education agency based in Bandung.
Arlina joined The University of Western Australia (UWA) in 2011 as the coordinator of the International Science for our Future Festival for Singapore and Indonesia before moving to international admissions in the UWA International Office. Arlina has an undergraduate degree in accounting and a Masters in Marketing. She is an avid reader of English literature and a fan of good food.
Corporate And Social Responsibility
Saksara is a relatively small organisation, however we take our responsibility to be leaders in corporate, social and environmental responsibility seriously. Some of our initiatives in this area include the following:
Anti-Corruption Policy - Saksara is committed to playing its part in eradicating graft and corruption in Indonesia. Corruption impedes Indonesia's development and diminishes the capacity for democracy, and the rule of law to deliver justice and stability to Indonesia. All Saksara staff undertake training and professional development regarding corruption and sign a contract committing them to Saksara Anti-Corruption Policy.
Clients and partners of Saksara can download and read Saksara Anti-Corruption Policy here:
Environmental Responsibility - Saksara has designed and planned its offices with the highest rating of energy efficiency. We have installed the latest low energy iMac computers throughout the offices. They have an idle/full CPU consumption rating of 38W/91W, amongst the lowest on the market. Likewise, our ultra bright LED lighting design provides us with over 20 individual office lights for a total output of less than 60W. Our office has individually installed, and low energy inverter air-conditioning and is not connected to the building system. We have also implemented a paperless office environment and utilise smart technologies to minimise energy and consumables. Overall, we have the highest level of office energy rating and play a small but important role in minimising our environmental footprint.