Balthasar Kambuaya has an impressive academic track record and an outstanding career journey. Since a young age, Kambuaya has been known as a tenacious and hardworking man.
Having served as the Minister of Environment and Forestry during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration, Balthasar was an academic staff member at Cenderawasih University beforehand. To get to know Balthasar Kambuaya better, here is his track record both in education and career:
Educational Background
Born in Ayamaru on September 9, 1956, Balthasar Kambuaya started his first education in 1969. He attended Yayasan Pendidikan Kristen Elementary School in Maybrat, West Papua.
In 1971, Balthasar continued his secondary school education in Sorong City. He was registered as a student at Sekolah Menengah Ekonomi Pertama (SMPE) Negeri Teminabuan.
Three years later, Balthasar Kambuaya completed his high school education at Sekolah Menengah Ekonomi Atas in Sorong City. After finishing high school, he continued his study at Cenderawasih University and Brawijaya University.
In 1996, Balthasar Kambuaya obtained a Master of Business Administration from Durham University in England. Then in 2003, he earned a Doctorate degree in Economics from Hasanuddin University in Makassar.
Balthasar Kambuaya’s Non-Formal Education
Besides his formal education, he also attended training programs to advance his competence. In 1986, he participated in a training program for small business development at Hasanuddin University Makassar. A year later, he participated in Small Medium Enterprise Development Training at the University of Indonesia.
Not only that, in 1999, Balthasar Kambuaya participated in Academic Networking and University Management, which took place at Texas A&M University. He also attended a training program on risk management in Singapore by the year 2006.
Career Journeys of Balthasar Kambuaya
Balthasar Kambuaya started his career in 1979 as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics, Cenderawasih University. In 1981, Balthasar was promoted and officially became a lecturer at Cendrawasih University.
From year to year, Balthasar Kambuaya’s academic career continues to grow. From 1986 to 2000, Balthasar Kambuaya worked as a dean assistant at Cendrawasih University.
Balthasar’s career at Cendrawasih University continued to develop. In 2001 he was appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Economics. Four years later, he was appointed as Rector of Cenderawasih University.
In 2011, Balthasar Kambuaya received a mandate from the sixth President of Indonesia to become the Minister of Environment and Forestry. At the moment, Balthasar was appointed to displace Gusti Muhammad Hatta, which was previously incorporated in Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu II.
Balthasar Kambuaya served as Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Forestry for four years. During his tenure, Balthasar Kambuaya contributed to reconstructing and restoring Indonesia’s forests.
After completing his duty as the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Balthasar Kambuaya is returning to his roots and starting to teach again. Currently, Balthasar is a lecturer at Cenderawasih University.
His Contribution as the Minister of Environment and Forestry
During his term as Minister of Environment and Forestry, Balthasar Kambuaya made a significant contribution to environmental conservation in Indonesia. One of the decisive steps he made was law enforcement against land arsonists.
One example is the lawsuit against PT Kalista Alam, which the Ministry of Environment and Forestry won. At that time, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry filed a lawsuit over the case of burning peatlands in Rawa Tripa, Aceh Province.
Concurrently, in collaboration with TP PKK, Balthasar Kambuaya continues to encourage the community to participate in waste management. Not only that, but he also educated the community on the importance of sorting, managing, and appreciating waste.
Awards
Balthasar Kambuaya received an award from the Minister of Education and Culture in 1988. He was awarded the Satya Lencana Adhitya Dharma Nugraha as an appreciation for his hard work in academics.
