Honouring Legacy, Powering the Future: Launch of the Ariel Liebman RACE for 2030 PhD Program
The speakers and distinguised guests at RACE 2030 event
BSD City, Tangerang – On Thursday, 24 July 2025, Monash University, Indonesia was filled with energy, purpose, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of Indonesia’s energy landscape. The university officially launched the Ariel Liebman RACE for 2030 Monash University, Indonesia PhD Program, a transformative initiative that brings together academia, industry, and research communities across Indonesia and Australia.
The event marked the beginning of a flagship multi-year program that will offer nine fully funded PhD scholarships to Indonesian citizens who have demonstrated a strong contribution to the energy sector. The scholarships are supported by a financial collaboration between Monash University, Indonesia, RACE for 2030, and PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara), Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company. This tri-partite collaboration exemplifies a powerful model of transnational cooperation to develop local energy talent.
A Gathering of Visionaries
The launch was attended by key figures who have been instrumental in developing the program. Among the distinguished guests were:
- Dr. Bill Lilley, CEO of RACE for 2030
- Prof. Neil Horrocks, Deputy Chief Research Officer, RACE for 2030
- Shreejan Pandey, Director of the Monash Energy Institute
- Prof. Matthew Nicholson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, Indonesia
- Prof. Jane M. Jacobs, Vice President of Research, Monash University, Indonesia
- Tantia Dian, COO and Vice-President (Operations and Enterprise), Monash University, Indonesia
- Prof. Taufiq Asyhari, Academic Director of the RACE for 2030 PhD Program
- Johan Alibasa, Deputy Academic Director
- Sari Octaviani, PhD Program Coordinator
The program also welcomed 29 PLN Master's students at Monash University, Indonesia, prospective PhD supervisors, and academic delegates from three major Indonesian universities: IPB (Prof. Ulfah J. Siregar), ITB (Dr. Tri Desmana Rachmilda), and UNHAS (Prof. Bachtiar Nappu).
From PLN, Yusuf Didi Setiarto, Director of Legal and Human Capital Management, spoke passionately about PLN’s vision for empowering the next generation of scholars and leaders in the energy sector. His remarks were a powerful reminder of the national significance of the initiative.
Honouring Prof. Ariel Liebman’s Legacy
The emotional heart of the event came from Shreejan Pandey, who shared a moving reflection on the late Prof. Ariel Liebman — the former Director of the Monash Energy Institute and an influential figure in both Australia’s and Indonesia’s energy transition efforts. The program proudly bears his name, ensuring his pioneering spirit continues to inspire future innovators in the region.
A Milestone for Clean Energy Innovation
The atmosphere throughout the launch was one of optimism and unity. Stakeholders from across the energy and academic sectors voiced their enthusiasm for this pioneering PhD initiative. As Dr. Bill Lilley shared in his remarks, RACE for 2030 has already achieved substantial progress in Australia as a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), and this expansion into Indonesia marks a critical step forward in regional energy collaboration.
Prof. Matthew Nicholson delivering his opening speech at RACE 2030 event
The program embodies more than academic pursuit. It is a blueprint for impactful collaboration between universities, industries, and government research institutions from both nations. As Prof. Nicholson noted in his opening speech, "This program is a clear example of the vision we had when Monash University, Indonesia was first established, creating meaningful collaborations that deliver real-world impact for Indonesia and the region."