Behind the lecture halls of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia (FoN UI), the name Efa Apriyanti is well known. As a lecturer in the Department of Pediatric Nursing, she is recognized as a warm, patient, and dedicated educator—both in guiding students in the classroom and in providing care for young patients at the bedside. Today, her journey has taken her far beyond Indonesia, crossing continents to Ireland with a single mission: to elevate the quality of pediatric nursing in Indonesia to the global stage.

Since March 1, 2023, Efa has officially embarked on her journey as a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing student at Trinity College Dublin, a university consistently ranked among the world’s best. This golden opportunity was made possible through the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), a prestigious government scholarship awarded only to the nation’s most outstanding talents.

The journey to securing this scholarship was far from easy. Efa had to undergo a rigorous selection process, including administrative screenings, interviews, and demonstrating both her academic excellence and her vision for contributing to the nation. “For me, going to Ireland is not merely a personal achievement. I want this experience to serve as a bridge to strengthen the quality of nursing education in Indonesia, particularly in pediatric nursing,” she affirmed.

During her doctoral studies, Efa is on an official study leave from her academic duties, allowing her to fully focus on research and academic exploration. The international environment at Trinity College Dublin provides her with a rare opportunity to engage in discussions with researchers and health practitioners from around the world, exchange perspectives, and directly observe how advanced healthcare systems manage pediatric nursing services.

“Interacting with academics and practitioners here has broadened my perspective on innovative approaches in pediatric nursing care. There are many practices that we can actually adapt in Indonesia, of course by aligning them with our local culture and needs,” she explained.

Although now thousands of kilometers away from home, Efa remains deeply rooted in her identity as an educator and a servant to the nation. She carries with her a profound mission: to bring back the knowledge and experiences she gains abroad to help shape a new generation of pediatric nurses—professionals who are globally minded and highly skilled, yet firmly grounded in the values of humanity and Indonesian culture.

Her journey has also become a source of inspiration for many fellow lecturers and students at FoN UI. Efa’s story proves that with determination, hard work, and the right support, the dream of reaching a world-class university is not impossible. She also carries a message that learning is not solely for personal achievement, but for creating a broader impact that benefits society.

At the end of her studies, scheduled for February 28, 2027, Efa is determined to return with more than just a doctoral degree. She aims to bring back a renewed vision, an international network of collaborations, and concrete solutions to enhance the quality of pediatric nursing education and services in Indonesia.

“Knowledge finds its true meaning when it returns to society—when it becomes part of the solution and helps those in need,” she concluded.