Indonesiantalk.com — Rafdi: A Portrait of Indonesia’s Bright Young Generation on the Global Stage
Munich – Amid global challenges and fierce professional competition, emerges the inspiring story of a young Indonesian who has carved a remarkable path abroad.
His name is Abyan Raff Hardiwinata, the only child of Wawan Hardiwinata and Marantina Nurshanty.
Born in Jakarta on June 6, 1999, Rafdi is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Robotics, Cognition, and Intelligence at one of the world’s leading institutions, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany.
For Rafdi, leaving Indonesia was never about abandoning home—it was about bringing back knowledge, experience, and a global network to help shape the nation’s future. At a young age, he has already proven that Indonesians can compete and excel on the world stage.
More Than Just Studying Abroad
Rafdi’s journey in Germany goes far beyond academic life. Alongside his studies, he has made strides in the professional world.
He currently works as an ADAS System Architect at Cariad, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers. Previously, he interned as a Deep Learning Engineer at Sony Europe, and before that, he built an impressive track record in technology and automation while still in Indonesia.
An alumnus of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering specializing in robotics, Rafdi has long stood out in his field. His achievements include winning first place at the Regional Robot Contest and securing fourth place at the National Robot Contest.
“For me, studying abroad is not just about earning a degree,” Rafdi reflects. “It’s about gaining life experience and shaping character.”
A Global Student and Professional
Germany’s education system, which emphasizes practice, research, and international collaboration, has provided Rafdi with the perfect environment to grow.
He has been actively involved in cutting-edge projects ranging from 3D reconstruction and artificial intelligence to augmented reality applications for manufacturing industries.
Like many international students in Germany, Rafdi balances work and study, seizing the opportunity to sharpen his skills directly in the global tech industry. He also contributes as a project advisor at Google Bangkit Academy, helping nurture Indonesia’s next generation of digital talent.
A Source of Hope and Inspiration for Indonesia’s Youth
Rafdi’s journey is more than a personal success story—it is a vision for Indonesia’s future. He is driven not only by ambition but also by a sense of responsibility to contribute to the nation.
He believes Indonesia’s future lies in the hands of its youth: those willing to learn, adapt, and innovate.
“Indonesia needs more young people with international exposure, open-mindedness, and readiness to face the challenges of our time,” he emphasizes.
For Rafdi, collaboration, cultural understanding, and unity are vital to driving meaningful change. His story is proof that Indonesian talent can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best—when given access and opportunity.
A Figure for Indonesia Emas 2045
As Indonesia moves toward its centennial vision of Indonesia Emas 2045, Rafdi represents the kind of human capital that will define the nation’s progress.
He is not merely the product of higher education, but a reflection of character—resilient, solution-oriented, and globally minded.
In an era where many young Indonesians choose to pursue opportunities abroad, Rafdi demonstrates that global citizenship and national pride can go hand in hand.
His story embodies optimism for Indonesia’s future: a future where knowledge, innovation, and collaboration make the nation stronger, more inclusive, and globally competitive.
Rafdi is not just a student in Germany—he is a bright face of Indonesia on the world stage.
