Student Profile, Dodi Duha, MPP Class of 2025

A former petroleum engineer, Dodi Duha, MPP Class of 2025, decided it was time to pivot into the renewable energy industry. 

"Throughout my career, I felt there were times when I wanted to make a greater impact on society but was unable to do so.” Duha said much of this desire was informed by growing up in a rural area of Indonesia. “I experienced first-hand the results of elected public officials’ time in governance being cut short and left unfinished due to misappropriation or abuse of power. I saw the resulting social inequalities and the widening gap between the rich and the poor.”

However, Duha said, with the political environment in Indonesia currently focused on the environmental implications of transitioning away from coal, oil, and gas, the renewable energy industry is booming. “Given my experience in the energy field, contributing to the development and expansion of renewable energy will allow me to contribute to Indonesian society in a more meaningful way." 

Given his engineering background, Duha said he was initially drawn to the Harris Master of Public Policy (MPP) program’s focus on quantitative analysis. “I can do math,” he said with a laugh, "and my background and experience, combined with the Harris MPP, will provide me with the tools to succeed. I love the idea of integrating science, data, and analytical skills in policy development. The MPP will also broaden my perspective on social issues that can potentially lead me to a position where I can positively impact Indonesia in both the short and long term.”

Duha is attending Harris on a scholarship from the Indonesian government. “It’s a government endowment, and between 7,000 and 8,000 Indonesian students are sent abroad to study each year.” The goal of the national endowment scholarship, Duha said, is to promote education and the growth of the industry and economy in Indonesia, as each scholarship recipient returns to Indonesia to implement their skill sets within the region. 

Given his interests, it's perhaps unsurprising that Duha said one of his standout experiences thus far at Harris has been engagement with the Energy Policy Institute at Chicago (EPIC), an interdisciplinary research and training institute focused on the economic and social consequences of energy policies. “EPIC's mission—meeting future energy needs for economic growth while limiting environmental and social damages through practical and efficient public policies—is precisely the type of work I hope to contribute to after graduation."

Duha said his ultimate dream is to work for an international organization or a think tank that contributes to economic and development efforts similar to EPIC’s efforts in research in academia. “This is just one possibility, honestly,” he said. “I am open to anything that will improve the Indonesian economy and reduce inequality.”  

While adjusting to Chicago weather variance has been a new experience ("In Indonesia, there are only two seasons: hot and hotter"), Duha said his MPP experiences—and time in the city—has been immensely enjoyable thus far. "I've really appreciated the ease of transportation, whether it's the CTA 172 and 171 to get around Hyde Park or the bus connector to get to downtown. I think it significantly helps students move around and explore the city."