EXPERIENTIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (XPD) @ EAST-WEST CENTER
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    • Nikolai - Landscape Architecture & Phytoremediation
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    • Oğuz - Climate for Change Project
    • Amalina - Environmental Justice
    • Esra - Health & Value
    • Win - Carbon Capture & Storage Tech
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Alheru AKBAR (Indonesia) 
 
Mr. Akbar is an alumnus of the University of Bengkulu, where he majored in English Education, and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Linguistics and English Language Teaching at the University of Leeds this year. He has taught at several schools, including Bengkulu City Senior High School, Lantern House, and Colorado Course. He has also been a volunteer teacher at Walailak University in Thailand, for Society Empowerment in Enggano Island’s remote areas, and with the One Rice Pack, One Person campaign. He is involved with the Bengkulu chapter of LindungiHutan, which is a crowdsourcing platform that raises funds for forest conservation and planting trees in Indonesia. Through teaching, Mr. Akbar has been able to inspire a number of youth, spreading his belief that individuals are the creators of change that they want to see in the world. Through the YSEALI program, Mr. Akbar hopes to gain more leadership skills to further help him be a facilitator of change.



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John Carl Tamboong ALONSAGAY (Philippines)
 
Mr. Alonsagay is a teacher at Mag-aba National High School in Pandan, Antique. He has a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the West Visayas State University in the Philippines. Mr. Alonsagay is also a founder, director for design and creatives, and liaison officer for the nonprofit enterprise Alpha Team Organization—ClimatEducate Project. He is also involved with the Climate Reality Project Philippines, the Global Youth Biodiversity Network–Southeast Asia, the International Youth Climate Movement, and the Philippine Initiative for Conservation of Environment and the People. Mr. Alonsagay wants to learn more about the impact of climate change and environmental solutions through community mobilization in the Asia-Pacific region. He hopes that the knowledge he gains will benefit his hometown and inform prospective future initiatives. 

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Ahmad Farhan DAUD (Malaysia)
 
Mr. Daud is a technical executive at Jentronics Private Limited. He received his degree in Mechatronic Engineering from the International Islamic University Malaysia. He has trained at the Malaysian Institute of Sustainable Agriculture in natural farming and sustainable agriculture and has also represented Malaysia for a volunteering mission in Gezira, where he was able to learn about farm irrigation systems. Mr. Daud has an interest in agriculture and innovation and a passion for organic farming. Through his participation in the YSEALI program and exposure to agricultural practices and environmental challenges, he looks forward to enhancing his communication and social skills, while also improving his own agricultural practices within his business.


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Sang Minh DOAN (Vietnam) ​
 
Mr. Doan is founder and staff member of the Mekong Delta Youth Group, an organization that brings together youth in the region to create and enact initiatives that will protect the largest agricultural region of Vietnam. Mr. Doan graduated from Can Tho University with a major in Natural Resources and Environment Management. He has participated in programs sponsored by a variety of institutions, such as the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies, PanNature, and The People’s Aid Coordinating Committee. While he comes to the YSEALI fellowship with prior experience in natural resource management, Mr. Doan is eager to further develop his own capacity so he is better prepared to protect the Mekong Delta through his organization.


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Indracris Steven Datu GUNDO (Indonesia)
 
Mr. Gundo is a paramedic and graduate student at the University of Samratulangi, working toward a master’s degree in Environmental Health. Mr. Gundo is also the founder of a nonprofit organization called PlasticMvmt, a movement against single-use plastic. Prior to this, he volunteered on the hospital ship USNS Mercy, worked on an Indonesian environmental health initiative, and worked with the US Navy Environmental Department. This past January, PlasticMvmt successfully banned single-use plastics and has now switched its focus to reducing mismanaged plastic waste in North Sulawesi. Mr. Gundo’s interest in saving the ocean and its creatures drives him to study all aspects of environmental health. During the YSEALI program, he looks forward to learning about different countries’ strategies for waste management and discovering ways to reduce Indonesia’s overall carbon footprint.
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Rizaldo Rizky HIMAWANSAH (Indonesia)
 
Mr. Himawansah is a second-year Materials Engineering student at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS). He is a member of the Faculty-Student Committee, which works on environmental and socioeconomic issues in Nambangan, a village near ITS. He believes the best way to tackle these issues is by engaging local communities and developing their quality of life. Mr. Himawansah has worked with Engineers in Action, an international project between ITS and NTUST that focuses on developing sewage management facilities in Nambangan. He is deeply concerned about the impact of waste on the environment and living things. In the future, he dreams of creating environmentally friendly industrial sites that could be a model for others. He hopes that by joining YSEALI he can learn about different technologies used to treat waste and how communities are involved in waste management, and also to expand his network and gain new knowledge to apply in Indonesia.


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Supatcha JAPAKANG (Thailand)
 
Ms. Japakang is a student majoring in Marine Biology and Fisheries at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Her passion for the environment is evident in her activities. She serves on the environment team for TEDxBangkok Adventure. Last year she was a delegate for the Young Thai Environmentalist 2018, a Thailand research fund, and she also reached the final round in TACT, a ReInWaste competition, with her project on coastal plastic waste management. Though still a university student, Ms. Japakang already has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with solving environmental problems, and through the YSEALI program she looks forward to expanding her knowledge further. 


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Moe Pwint KHAING (Myanmar)
 
Ms. Khaing is a project engineer for the Zay Nyi Naung Construction Company Ltd., where she focuses on various project design details and conducts final inspections and reports for all infrastructure projects. Ms. Khaing studied Civil Engineering at the Government Technological University, as well as Community Leadership and Social Studies from the Thabyay Education Foundation. She has been a member of the Chin Youth Network Emergency Relief Team, the Youth Life Formation Center Alumni Network Group, and the Ministry of Construction. Ms. Khaing believes that collective action is necessary when facing environmental problems. She sees the YSEALI program as an opportunity to gain new experiences, knowledge, and skills to fulfill her dream of building a healthier world.  


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Souliyaphon KOMMADAM (Laos)
 
Mr. Kommadam is a research assistant for a R4D project on managing telecoupled landscapes. His work has gotten him involved in several projects dealing with land use change, community development, and sustainable resource management. A graduate of the National University of Laos, majoring in Forestry, Mr. Kommadam is interested in environmental sustainability. Through the YSEALI program, he expects to broaden his perspectives on natural resource management, and he looks forward to connecting and sharing with peers and mentors. Ultimately, he hopes to learn to become a better leader by creating better solutions for environmental protection in his home community.


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Ku Nurasyikin KU AMIR (Malaysia) 
 
Ms. Ku Amir is a research assistant at the Universiti Utara Malaysia, where she is also working toward her master’s degree in Strategic Studies on nontraditional security issues, particularly food security. She received her bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. Previously, she volunteered with organizations such as UNGGAS Malaysia, Nisa Malaysia, and Ameerah Malaysia, and has been a coordinator for Suri Membaca. Ms. Ku Amir recognizes the problems of poverty and food security in her home country of Malaysia, and she believes it is important to balance physical development with societal and environmental development. By participating in this program, she looks forward to learning and discussing with her peers about different green practices that she can use at home to help her community.


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Rachel LAU (Singapore) 
 
Ms. Lau is an undergraduate Chemistry student at the National University of Singapore. She actively looks for different scientific methods to solve the world’s energy problem. Currently, she is working on research to improve the production efficiency of green fuels using computational simulation and experimental verification. Ms. Lau also organizes and participates in events related to environmental sustainability. As a petition writer in her community, she understands the varying needs and priorities of different demographics. She is keen to innovate, interact, learn, and inspire others on three levels—the individual, the community, and the nation—toward a green and sustainable future.


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Amiel Jay Villasencio LOPEZ (Philippines)
 
Mr. Lopez is a project founder and manager of the Project Dyesabel (Mermaid). He is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in Education in Biological Science from the Ateneo de Davao University in the Philippines. Mr. Lopez has been involved with organizations such as Happy Fish Kids–Project GypSEAS, Save Philippines Seas, and Ecoteneo. He has a strong passion for marine conservation, which has prompted him to get involved with various environmental movements. Mr. Lopez sees the YSEALI program as an excellent opportunity to continue to grow as an environmentalist, and he looks forward to learning from and collaborating with peers and mentors.


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Kisha Erah MUANA (Philippines)  
 
Ms. Muana is an eco-ambassador for the nongovernmental organization Let’s Do It Philippines and a founder of the STEP PHILIPPINES Youth Organization. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Cebu Normal University in the Philippines. Ms. Muana is currently an active member of many organizations, such as the Youth for Mental Health Coalition Inc., the 2030 Project, and the National Youth Volunteers Coalition. As an advocate for the protection and conservation of marine and terrestrial environments, she plans to use the new skills and strategies learned at the YSEALI program to better help her spread awareness and motivate action.
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Nyan Linn MYINT (Myanmar) 
 
Mr. Myint is a sustainable agroforestry assistant officer for the World Wide Fund for Nature in Myanmar, where he supports communities and implements strategies that address biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability. Mr. Myint graduated from the University of Forestry and Environmental Science with a major in Forest Science and Environmental Science. He is currently a member of both the Ecosystem Conservation and Community Development Initiative and the Taninthayi Rubber Planner and Producer Association. Mr. Myint has also served as a project assistant for the Taninthayi Nature Reserve Project, where he designed and organized programs in conservation management, agroforestry, diversity, and communications. By participating in the YSEALI program, he hopes to enhance his leadership and management skills, as well as strengthen his knowledge of environmental policy. 


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Nat NAN (Cambodia)  
 
Mr. Nan is a staff member with the Center for Sustainable Water in Cambodia, a NGO that focuses on individual and institutional capacity-building, conducts research to guide decision-makers toward evidence-based policy solutions, and develops innovative solutions to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goal 6 in Cambodia. In his position, he is expanding his knowledge and experience in WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) and water resource management. Mr. Nan earned a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the Pannasastra University of Cambodia. Over the past four years, he has participated in numerous intensive training programs, workshops, exchanges, and volunteer projects relating to environmental management, climate change, and WASH-related issues. He expects that the YSEALI program will sharpen his knowledge of how to safely manage natural resources, as well as provide real-world case studies of successful environmental interventions, from which he can learn new methods to apply in his home country.


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Thu Thi Anh NGUYEN (Vietnam)
 
Ms. Nguyen is a project coordinator for the Green Innovation and Development Center in Hanoi. She is a graduate of the University for Natural Resources and Environment, with a degree in Environmental Engineering. She currently belongs to the Hanoi Clean Air Awareness and Ideas Group as well as the Vietnam Renewable Energy Group, and has also volunteered with various projects such as the Improvement of Groundwater Protection in Vietnam program. Ms. Nguyen has been interested in sustainable development since she began her university studies, and she believes the YSEALI program is a golden opportunity for her to develop and learn new leadership skills so she can better contribute to creating a more environmentally friendly world.
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Tuan Van NGUYEN (Vietnam)
 
Mr. Nguyen is a medical student who just completed his fourth year at the Hanoi Medical University, where he is working toward becoming a general practitioner. With a passion for wildlife conservation since he was young, he has continued to foster that passion through his university years. He founded the project “Don’t Leave Wild Animals Alone” after observing the over-consumption of fauna in Vietnam for products used in traditional Chinese medicine. He is also the co-founder of the “Wild Warriors” project, which offers ten educational lessons about wildlife near the Ba Vi National Park, a common poaching area. In the future, Mr. Nguyen aspires to take his experience working with environmental projects and the knowledge he will gain at the YSEALI program and apply them to helping rural provinces, including his home province.
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Chonlasuang PORNSOOKSAWANG (Thailand) 
 
Ms. Pornsooksawang is the co-founder of the zero-profit social enterprise Tlejourn Shoes, a company that makes shoes out of ocean debris. She has a degree in German and Russian Studies from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. She is an ambassador for One Young World, a global forum for young leaders, and has been a Thailand delegate at the 4th ASEAN-Russia Youth Summit. Through the YSEALI program, Ms. Pornsooksawang looks forward to widening her horizon by collaborating with her peers and mentors. She plans to develop her critical thinking skills and find ways to continue leading her community toward a more sustainable future.



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Dircia SARMENTO BELO (Timor-Leste) 
 
Ms. Sarmento Belo currently works at the United Nations Development Programme, where she supports recycling and youth action projects. She is a graduate of Lincoln University, having majored in Environmental Management and Planning. She has been a facilitator for a learning event at KJFL-UNDP that aimed to give support to social businesses and leadership programs. Her desire is to work together with fellow youths to promote awareness-raising campaigns and behavioral change to increase sustainable practices across the country. By participating in the YSEALI program, Ms. Sarmento Belo hopes to increase her theoretical and practical environmental knowledge, and to expand her network of like-minded people who are moving in the same direction. 

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Zi Ni WONG (Malaysia)  
 
Ms. Wong is completing her final year at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia, working toward a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She will then spend two semesters participating in an international exchange at the Environmental Engineering and Science program of Feng Chia University in Taiwan. She is a project analyst for “Map-O-Debris,” which she and five other ASEAN peers initiated to combat marine debris by using a data-driven tool. She and her project team were selected as best presenters at the YSEALI Marine Debris Expedition, and they were also sponsored by the US Embassy of Indonesia for the Our Ocean Conference last year. Through her participation in the YSEALI program, she hopes to find out how other countries combat environmental challenges as she collaborates with and learns from her peers.



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Hanna Nur Afifah YOGAR (Indonesia)
 
Ms. Yogar is a researcher for the International Center for Law and Sharia Studies, as well as an editorial assistant for the Indonesian Comparative Law Review Journal. She completed her third year at the University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, majoring in Law, and is currently finishing up her final year. She also works on the staff of International Affairs and Hospitality, volunteers for the American Corner at her school, and is an active member of the Indonesia Student Youth Forum. When she is off campus, Ms. Yogar recognizes the effects that harmful environmental practices have on the world around her. She believes that her ability to analyze and communicate will help her contribute to finding solutions to today’s environmental challenges.


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  • Home
  • Fellowships
  • Bluepreneur Boot Camp
  • EWC #EarthOptimism Awards
  • XPD Cohorts
    • 2019 Fall INRM Fellows
    • 2019 Spring INRM Fellows
    • 2018 Fall INRM Fellows
    • 2018 Spring YSEALI Fellows
    • 2017 Fall YSEALI Fellows
    • 2017 Spring YSEALI Fellows
    • 2016 YSEALI Fellows
    • 2015 Global Fellows
    • 2015 YSEALI Fellows
    • 2014 Global Fellows
    • 2014 YSEALI Fellows
    • 2013 Global Fellows >
      • Photo Gallery Global
    • 2013 East Asia & Pacific Fellows >
      • Photo Gallery EAP
    • 2012 Team Websites
    • ASEAN Alumni Event in Singapore 2013
  • Staff / Contact Us
  • Alumni
    • Nikolai - Landscape Architecture & Phytoremediation
    • Jasmin - The Bicycle Project
    • Abed - Bread for Education
    • Tess - Monastic Education
    • Jeffrey - Chili Padi Academy
    • Sabreen - Water in the West Bank
    • Mac - ASEAN Food Rescue
    • Nasha - Climate Change Negotiations
    • Sheryan - Cultural & Environmental Preservation
    • Amjad - Middle East Environmental Leadership Program
    • Slava - Global Political Economy
    • Chuck - Green Sciences & Engineering
    • Wen Shin - BioSoap EcoEnterprise
    • Awie - Social Entrepreneurship
    • Ferth - ASEAN Peace Project
    • Oğuz - Climate for Change Project
    • Amalina - Environmental Justice
    • Esra - Health & Value
    • Win - Carbon Capture & Storage Tech