UNAIR NEWS – Inez Yafi Salsabila, an International Relations student of UNAIR, has proven that failure is not the end. Despite setbacks, including not being selected for the IISMA program and several other initiatives, she persevered and sought new opportunities.

Her determination paid off. Inez was chosen as an Indonesian delegate for the prestigious Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI) 2024, held from July 23-26, 2024, in Bali. HYLI is an international conference organized by the global technology company, Hitachi.

This year’s program, themed “Greening Together: Inclusion and Sustainability,” is designed for emerging young leaders from various Asian countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Japan.

By stepping out of her comfort zone, Inez now has the chance to meet exceptional individuals from different countries, exchange views, and present her innovations on sustainable development.

“Failure is part of the learning process. You must believe that failure does not define you as a failure. You are valuable and just as capable as anyone else,” Inez advised.

Valuable lessons
Inez shared that the HYLI program opened her eyes to the significance of inclusivity and cross-cultural collaboration. “I saw how these differences (cultural backgrounds) do not create exclusivity but rather enhance inclusivity at every discussion level,” said Inez.

Diversity provides comprehensive, detailed, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. She explained that homogeneous teams tend to produce linear and uniform solutions, whereas diverse teams enrich discussions with various new perspectives.

Through her experience at HYLI, Inez hopes to continue promoting inclusivity and cross-cultural collaboration, both nationally and internationally. For her, diversity is a strength that should be embraced, not avoided.

“If there are differences of opinion, instead of saying ‘yes, but,’ say ‘yes, and.’ This way, those sharing their views will feel not only heard but also valued and included in decision-making. Collaborative practice benefits everyone,” she added.

HYLI Project
Regarding the HYLI project, Inez mentioned that she and her team are focusing on the tenth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to reduce inequality. She aims to bridge the digital education gap in seven ASEAN countries and Japan.

One major cause of this disparity is the unequal access to digital resources between urban and rural areas. To address this issue, Inez’s team developed an innovation called “Hylipad.”

Hylipad is a solution designed to distribute digital technology evenly in remote areas. One unique aspect of Hylipad is its approach to reducing electronic waste.

The team recognized that many unused or damaged electronic devices could still be repurposed. If these devices are repaired or refurbished, they can become affordable learning tools, reducing the disparity in access to education.

“With the Hylipad project, I hope to bridge the digital divide and contribute to creating sustainable and inclusive solutions,” concluded Inez.

Author: Diana Febrian Dika

Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin

Source : https://unair.ac.id/en/inspiring-story-of-inez-from-failure-to-representing-indonesia-at-hyli/