Having started his career as a fifteen-year-old volunteer, teaching orphans and street-children, Akbar came to the University of Hull as a Chevening Scholar to take his passionate, empathetic and innovative approach to teaching to the next level with an MA in Education. This move had an immediate impact on him.
“My experience at the University of Hull has profoundly changed how I approach teaching,” Akbar said. “The very first class brought three new words: learn-unlearn-relearn. This changed my whole thinking around education. It taught me to question established perceptions, to be open to new perceptions, and to seek constructive solutions for every problem.”
With obstacles such as large class sizes, students who face socioeconomic barriers to learning and a lack of infrastructure all creating problems to be navigated, this attitude has stood Akbar in good stead as he has developed innovative teaching methods to inspire his students and address their needs.
Akbar introduced project-oriented learning and incorporated local cultural elements to make STEM education accessible and engaging for his students. Projects such as “Bottle used”, in which students designed tools and instruments made from repurposed bottles, DIY hydraulics and the “Straw Bridge Challenge” were not only key examples of Akbar’s innovation in the classroom, but also helped his students win gold and silver medals in national competitions.
“The University of Hull's vision resonated with my journey,” Akbar said. “My goal has always been to provide educational technologies to students and teachers in South Sumatra, Indonesia, for that reason I'm establishing a community called Digital Education Community (@komunitasdigiedu). Hull’s MA in Education studies was especially a perfect fit as it enabled me to create a bespoke learning pathway, in particular focusing on digital education, to suit Indonesia’s education scene.”
It is this outlook beyond the classroom that also makes Akbar stand out as a teacher, educator and influencer. His expertise has led him to talk at international conferences and he has also worked with over 200 schools in Indonesia, training them to implement the country’s new curriculum. His commitment to his profession and to ensuring that the best education is available to students everywhere is clearly evident from the work he has done with UNICEF and ASEAN teachers, offering mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He launched programs like “Inspirational Class” and “Guru Tamu” (Guest Teacher), which invite local professionals and parents to share their expertise, teaching students practical life skills and linking education to real-world applications. His initiatives have fostered stronger school-community relationships and increased parental involvement in education.
“The impact of my initiatives, particularly when they result in concrete improvements to students’ learning experiences or well-being, excites me. The moral obligation I have to my students, their families, and my community drives me to continue creating and pursuing excellence in education. Being able to motivate others and introduce knowledge is a passion that keeps me growing constantly.”
As is evident in his work and his innovations, Akbar’s growth has been combined with a deep, ethical commitment to his students and the communities in which they learn. He has a dedication to sustainability and has integrated climate change education into his commitment through a board game he create: Climate Change: It’s In Our Hands, which teaches students about environmental decision-making, and has inspired them to plant over 200 native saplings in reforestation efforts. By linking climate education to STEM, Akbar empowers his students to take action on pressing global issues.
Akbar is clear that his learning at Hull, the mentoring he received from the professors here, was critical in shaping his outlook on education and the role of technology in education.
“I had the privilege of being mentored by the best professors who were as invested in digital technologies in education. It was the work of Dr. Anastasia Gouseti and Professor Kevin Burden which began to broaden my horizons around mobile learning, technology-enhanced learning, digital literacies and the concept of school platformisation. Moreover, my dissertation supervisor, Professor Lisa Jones, gave exceptional and sound feedback over the times that made my ability to carry out ethical and durable research. It also guided my dissertation on digital storytelling and teacher competence which in turn shaped my outlook as I gravitated towards technology in education upon returning home.”
Becoming a Finalist in the Global Teacher Award is a deserved recognition of Akbar’s achievements, his passion and his talents. He stands out as an alumnus who exemplifies the values of the University of Hull and who is a great example of the type of student working in our Education Department.
For those who are looking to get into teaching, considering further study or thinking about their own teaching practice, we asked Akbar for his words of advice and inspiration:
“If I had one piece of advice, it would be: Empathy. This means that teaching isn’t just about knowledge transfer, but connecting with your students on an emotional level. Empathy enables you to help your students through tough times, rejoice in their accomplishments, and create a learning environment where all your students feel like they belong and matter. This is particularly significant if you're adapting to different classrooms, in-person or digital. Empathy will enable you to respond with wisdom and knowledge to your students.”