Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Renowned cognitive psychologist Stella Christie has been officially appointed as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) in Indonesia’s new cabinet, led by President Prabowo Subianto. Christie’s appointment marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to advance science and technology education.
Stella Christie, a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, is an internationally recognized expert in cognitive psychology. She completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, earning a degree in psychology in 2004, graduating magna cum laude with highest honors.
Christie went on to pursue her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at Northwestern University in the United States, focusing on cognitive psychology, and received her doctorate in 2010.
Since 2018, she has held the title of Associate Professor with tenure at Tsinghua University, one of the most prestigious institutions in Asia. Prior to that, Christie served in a similar role at Swarthmore College in the United States.
According to Tempo.co, here is an overview of the career milestones that have contributed to Stella Christie’s success.
Postdoctoral researcher at the University of British Columbia (UBC) from 2010 to 2012
Christie’s academic journey is marked by a series of prestigious positions and research roles. After completing her Ph.D. in 2010, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of British Columbia (UBC) from 2010 to 2012.
According to UBC official site, postdoctoral researchers at the university benefit from extended health and dental coverage, among other support programs. During her time at UBC, postdoctoral fellows could earn approximately $1,452 per month, equivalent to roughly Rp22.4 million.
visiting researcher at Stanford University California from 2015-2016
From 2015 to 2016, Christie was a visiting researcher at Stanford University in California. Stanford offers its visiting researchers official affiliations, access to campus computing, library privileges, and use of recreational facilities, as well as access to housing resources and campus parking.
Assistant Professor (2012-2018) and Associate Professor (2018) in Swarthmore College Pennsylvania
Christie began her formal academic career in 2012 as an Assistant Professor on a tenure track at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where she was promoted to Tenured Associate Professor in 2018.
According to Swarthmore’s official data, assistant professors at the college earned between $71,620 and $84,394 annually during that period, with associate professors making between $90,538 and $108,684 annually.
Associate Professor in Tsinghua University, China (2018-Today)
In 2018, Christie made the move to to serve as an Associate Professor in Tsinghua University, one of the best universities in Asia and the world. In 2022, she was promoted to the position of Full Professor, further cementing her status in academia.
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According to China University Jobs, associate professors at Tsinghua can earn between 0.5 million and 3.5 million Chinese yuan annually, which translates to approximately Rp1.08 billion to Rp7.6 billion.
Tsinghua University also offers generous support for its faculty members, including housing assistance and access to affiliated schools for their children. These benefits contribute to an environment that fosters academic excellence and innovation.
A Vision for Indonesia’s Future
As Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie brings a wealth of experience from her time at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Her appointment signals the government’s commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s education and research sectors, with a focus on advancing the nation’s capacity in science, technology, and innovation.
With her academic pedigree and global experience, Stella Christie is expected to play a crucial role in shaping Indonesia’s higher education landscape and helping the country meet the challenges of a rapidly changing technological world.
(Raidi/Agung)
