Women have made remarkable strides in the field of education; from being not allowed to receive education to becoming educators themselves, they have challenged the traditional norms. Through this article, we are proud to introduce Judy Retti Witono, one of Asia's admired leaders in education. With her exceptional leadership skills and unwavering dedication to the education sector, Judy has made a lasting impact on the lives of many students and educators alike.
With a background in Chemical Engineering and prior experience in the Industrial Research and Development agency under the Indonesian Ministry of Industry, she has a unique perspective and knowledge that she brings to the classroom. Judy’s journey to the education sector began when she was asked to help open a Chemical Engineering Department at Parahyangan Catholic University.
Although it was not her initial career path, she soon fell in love with the job and the opportunity to share her expertise in the field. This led her to pursue further education and obtain a Master's and Doctoral degree. With her strong background in both the industry and education, she brings a valuable perspective to her students and colleagues.
Inspiring leadership & Interesting Teaching Techniques
Judy’s approachable leadership style inspires her colleagues and sets a positive example. She builds strong relationships and effective communication, and consistently walks the talk. She stays informed of the latest advancements in the education and tech industries by actively reading, conducting research, and taking courses related to these areas.
She is a dedicated and innovative educator who is committed to ensuring her students are motivated and engaged in their learning. She begins each lesson by explaining the benefits of the learning, as she believes that understanding the purpose of the subject matter is crucial to student motivation. By doing so, her students are inspired to learn and explore the subject further, both in and out of the classroom.
Judy's teaching style is practical and hands-on, utilizing concrete examples to help students understand complex theoretical concepts. When possible, she takes her students on field trips to manufacturing plants to provide a real-world context for their studies. Additionally, she encourages her students to tackle problems on their own and develops their critical-thinking skills by presenting them with challenges to solve. Through these methods, Judy ensures that her students are well-equipped to succeed both academically and in their future careers.
Challenges That Need Attention
As technology continues to shape our world, some educators worry about their role being replaced by Google & ChatGPT in the future. With the abundance of information readily available at our fingertips, students may no longer feel the need to attend class or interact with their peers. “However, I believe that there are certain human qualities and skills that cannot be replaced by technology, such as integrity, honesty, sincerity, self-expression, independence, collaboration, and wisdom.
I Feel Happier When I See My Children And My Student Attain Success In Their Career And Life Rather Than When I Get My Degrees
These are crucial traits that can only be developed through the guidance of a knowledgeable educator. To combat the challenges posed by technology, I focus on creating direct and meaningful interactions with my students. I emphasize the importance of working together and provide a positive example of the values and skills I hope to impart. By fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment, I believe that educators can continue to play a critical role in shaping the next generation.
” She further adds, “One of the most challenging tasks in my career has been dealing with the competition that arises in a workplace filled with smart people. To overcome this, I strive to be flexible and accept all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs. I believe that competition is inevitable, but it must be maintained in a positive direction to encourage growth and development.”
Food For Thought
Judy believes in an outcome-based approach to education. She understands that every student is unique and that the traditional approach of teaching processes to everyone in the same way can lead to unequal outcomes. Instead, she focuses on delivering outcomes that are tailored to each student's needs, ensuring that everyone is successful. She highlights, “Without discriminating, some need to be taught firmly, some need to be gentle and so on. So that in every class there are students who are successful and some who are not.
Meanwhile, if we educate based on outcomes, then everyone will be successful. To be successful the education system in the classroom needs to be changed. Knowledge is taught through experiences outside the classroom and that is what I have practiced so far. Give students projects to complete through relationships with other people, communities.
And every project has to produce something tangible.” “My advice to aspiring educators is to maintain their humanity and remember the importance of human connection. I believe that science and technology can only advance through interaction, cooperation, and collaboration among people. I caution against becoming too focused on technology and losing touch with one's emotions, desires, and sense of purpose. In a world that can be increasingly isolated, it is more important than ever to maintain strong human relationships and to be a source of hope and positivity for others,” she signs off.
Judy Retti Witono,Parahyangan Catholic University
Judy is a Professor in Chemical Engineering and Faculty of Industrial Technology at Parahyangan Cathlolic University, Indonesia. She has been in charge as the Head of the Centre of Process Engineering and Product Technology. Also, elected as the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the University. Judy's past experience has helped her to work as a lecturer in chemical engineering. After graduating, Judy served as a civil servant in the Industrial Research and Development Agency under the Indonesian Ministry of Industry.
With a background in technology and industrial problem-solving, she has extensive knowledge of various industries and has been involved in evaluating technology transfers, monitoring industrial development, and supporting Government policy-making through data collection and information organization. And currently this experience helps her teaching in chemical engineering.
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