UNAIR NEWS He comes from a family of doctors. In Senior High School, he was an outstanding student with achievements in Biology Olympiad. But, he has been around the world because of his love towards Historical Studies. He is Adrian Perkasa, the young historian the world started to notice.
Adrian Perkasa was born in Tulungagung, 28 years ago. His father is a doctor. Little Adrian has been interested in temples, therefore, his father often took him to Trowulan during their trip to Surabaya where he studied.
Once, his father was assigned in Unaaha, a little village in South East Sulawesi. His life there was like the condition pictured in Laskar Pelangi film. It was then he got a great motivation by one of his teachers.
淚f you want to travel around the world, you must like reading, said Adrian imitating his teacher in elementary school.
Little Adrian used to read textbooks on history. History books were difficult to find at that time. When he was an adult, he realized that those books he read at elementary school were the material for his college study.
When he was in senior high school (SMA), he did not get many history lessons. He made achievement in a Biology Olympiad. But he chose Historical Studies at university.
淲hen I applied, my parents mad at me. History? What do you want to be? Most of my friends applied for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine, said the man born on June, 27 1988.
In 2006, Adrian decided to study two majors, Historical Studies, and International Relations in 51动漫. This decision then what makes him around the world with his historical studies.
Choosing Academic Community
When he was studying in two majors, Adrian realized that Historical Studies gave him opportunity to improve himself. His thesis titled Orang揙rang Tionghoa dan Islam di Majapahit was the first thesis published by national publisher. The book was endorsed by famous Islamic professor, Ahmad Syafii Maarif.
淔rom that moment I thought that academic community was interesting. People were not distinguished by their groups, old or young, but based on their achievements, said Adrian.
Adrian used to be in Indonesian Heritage Conservation Agency, an agency which conserves Indonesian heritage. He often travels around the world because of his book and research paper on history. He has been to many countries in the world for educative trips as well, such as France, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, Portugal, and some other countries.
淚 get more chances to travel around Indonesia, even the world because of history, said the actor played in Ketika Cinta Bertasbih听补苍诲听Cinta Suci Zahrana.
Because of his interest in that academic field, Adrian then continued his study at Universitas Gadjah Mada master program. He got a lot of scholarships so he did not have to ask for his parents financial support. When he was in master program, he was an awardee of Graduate Student Fellowship in Asia Research Institute National University of Singapore, in 2013.
Adrian has been a lecturer in Department of Historical Studies, UNAIR since 2016. For 2017, he is preparing a research project with global experts. He receives funding from European Union and collaborates with scholars from Harvard University and National University of Singapore to conduct a research on ancient neighborhood in Surabaya.
What are the prospects for Historical Studies graduates?
Adrian understands well that historical studies graduates have great career prospects in the society, but not many people see them.
淲e are needed. Currently, the government really needs to the inventory distribution of ancient neighborhoods. There are a lot of opportunities, it檚 unfortunate for students if they do not see them, said the man who was trusted by Lamongan administration to write the book of Lamongan history.
Adrian said that through history, humans understand their identities. Through history we were taught to be critical individuals.
淭oday, we are overflowed by information. We need to be careful with the information. There should be verified sources. That檚 important especially when we know that this nation was not built in a night, said Adrian.
His parents doubted his decision once when he chose Historical Studies. But today, he can prove that this doubted field of study can give more career prospects. The key was responsibility and determination.
淢y parents used to fight my idea. But they are proud of me now. Because we have been given freedom to choose, it must be followed with responsibility, he said. (*)
Author : Binti Q. Masruroh
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
