On December 5, 2025, the University of Iowa welcomed home one of its most distinguished alumni: H.E. Mr. Indroyono Soesilo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the United States. The visit was more than a diplomatic engagement, it was an emotional return to the place that shaped his academic journey, his family life, and ultimately his career.
Ambassador Soesilo (PhD geologic remote sensing ’87) spoke about how his time in Iowa City set him on the trajectory that led to a career steeped in science, government leadership, and international diplomacy.
“Getting my PhD at Iowa set me on the path that got me where I am today,” Soesilo reflected during his visit.
During the visit, Ambassador Soesilo, accompanied by the Indonesian Consul General in Chicago, Mrs. Trisari Dyah Paramita, met with university representatives from the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability and the Stanley Museum of Art. He also joined Indonesian students, scholars, and alumni for a lunch hosted by International Programs. The ambassador and his wife Nining Sri Astuti (MA geography ‘86) then took a nostalgic tour around town. They revisited the places they once lived, including an apartment above a bakery on Washington Street. His wife fondly recalled that the ambassador treated himself to a cinnamon roll from that bakery every day. Their eldest son was born at Mercy Hospital.
One of the highlights of his visit was being able to see his dissertation again, a reminder of the research he conducted—work connected to the Columbia space shuttle program and efforts related to Mars exploration.
Before studying at Iowa, Ambassador Soesilo completed an MSc in remote sensing for natural resources at the University of Michigan and later became a Fulbright Scholar in 2012.
While the visit was rich with memories, it also opened doors for future collaboration. Ambassador Soesilo expressed interest in developing partnerships between Indonesia and the University of Iowa. He mentioned opportunities to bring more Indonesian students to the University of Iowa and to support research collaborations, particularly in STEM fields, where Iowa and Indonesian faculty could jointly submit proposals for funding. He also proposed connections related to the arts.
For the ambassador and his wife, the visit was a return to a place that shaped their early careers and family life. For the University of Iowa, it was a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with an alumnus whose global leadership reflects the university’s values and impact.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.
