Ahmad Fuadi

Ahmad Fuadi (born 30 December 1973) is an Indonesian writer, novelist and social entrepreneur. His debut novel Negeri 5 Menara (The Land of 5 Towers) broke the publisher's sales record (Gramedia Pustaka Utama) for the last 37 years. Negeri 5 Menara is the first part of the Negeri 5 Menara trilogy, followed by Ranah 3 Warna (The Earth of 3 Colors), and Rantau 1 Muara" "Negeri 5 Menara" was brought into wide-screen version and listed as one of the most watched Indonesian movies in the year of 2012.[1] He's also well known for his extraordinary achievement in achieving 9 overseas scholarships.[2]

Ahmad Fuadi
Born (1973-12-30) 30 December 1973
Maninjau, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia
Pen nameA. Fuadi
OccupationNovelist, social entrepreneur, author, writer
NationalityIndonesia
Alma materPadjadjaran University
GenreComing-of-age story
Notable worksNegeri 5 Menara (The Land of 5 Towers)
SpouseDanya Dewanti
Website
www.negeri5menara.com

Education & Work

One of Fuadi's life-changing experience was his experience during his study in Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, where he was introduced to a powerful mantra "Man Jadda Wajada" (He who gives his all will surely succeed) in his first day. He then went to Padjajaran University, majoring International Relations. During his last semester in Padjadjaran University, he got a scholarship from the National University of Singapore and spent a semester there. Upon graduating with a degree in International Relations from Padjadjaran University, he became a journalist for Tempo magazine. His first class in journalism was done in reporting assignments under the guidance of senior Tempo journalists. In 1999, he received a Fulbright scholarship to take his master's degree at the School of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University, USA. Venturing to Washington, D.C. together with Yayi, his wife—also a Tempo journalist—was a childhood dream come true. While studying, they were also Tempo correspondents and reporters for Voice of America (VOA). They reported on historical news, such as the 9-11 tragedy, straight from the Pentagon, White House, and Capitol Hill. In 2004, another world window opened when he received the Chevening Award scholarship to study documentary films at Royal Holloway, University of London. As a scholarship hunter, Fuadi is always enthusiastic to continue his education and find more scholarships. He has had opportunities to live and study in Canada, Singapore, USA, and the UK.[3]

Achievements

Some of the Indonesian media attribute him as "the dream achiever" due to his remarkable achievements:

  • International Education Program, CWY, Montreal, Canada, 1995 – 1996
  • SIF-ASEAN Visiting Student Fellowship, National University of Singapore, 1997
  • Indonesian Cultural Foundation Inc Award, 2000 – 2001
  • Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Award, The George Washington University, 2000 – 2001 The Ford Foundation Award 1999–2000
  • CASE Media Fellowship, University of Maryland, College Park, 2002
  • Fulbright Scholarship, MA in Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 1999–2001
  • British Chevening Scholarship, MA in Media Arts, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, 2004 – 2005
  • Khatulistiwa Literary Award 2010, Long List
  • The Most Favorite Fiction Writer of the Year, Indonesian Readers Award 2010
  • The Best Fiction Novel & The Best Fiction Writer, awarded by the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, 2011
  • Liputan 6 Award SCTV for the Education & Motivation Category, 2011[4]
  • Resident Writer, Lake Como – Italy, awarded by the Rockefeller Foundation, 2012
  • The National Intellectual Property Rights Award, for the Novel Category, awarded by the Directorate Generale of Intellectual Property Rights, 2013
  • Artist in Residence, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2014

International Events
  • Frankfurt Book Festival, Germany, 2012
  • Singapore Writers Festival, Singapore, 2012
  • Makassar International Writers Festival, Indonesia, 2012
  • Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, Malaysia, 2011
  • Ubud Writers Festival, Indonesia, 2011

Social Works

With his wife Danya "Yayi" Dewanti, Fuadi founded Komunitas Menara, a volunteer-based social organization which aims to provide free schools, libraries, clinics and soup kitchens for the less fortunate. Up until now, Komunitas Menara has already built 5 free pre-schools throughout Indonesia.

Bibliography

Novels
  • Negeri 5 Menara (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2009), translated to Bahasa Melayu (PTS Litera) & English (Gramedia Pustaka Utama)
  • Ranah 3 Warna (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2011), translated to Bahasa Melayu (PTS Litera) & English (on going)
  • Rantau 1 Muara (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, April 2013)

Man Jadda Wajada Series
  • Man Jadda Wajada 1: Berjalan Menembus Batas (Bentang Pustaka, 2012)
  • Man Jadda Wajada 2: Menjadi Guru Inspiratif (Bentang Pustaka, 2012)

Others
  • Rahasia Penulis Hebat: Menciptakan Karakter Tokoh (co-writer) (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2010)
  • Dari Datuk ke Sakura Emas (co-writer) (Bentang Pustaka, 2011)
  • Rindu Purnama (co-writer) (Bentang Pustaka, 2011)

References
  1. Data penonton tahun 2012
  2. Ahmad Fuadi: Penulis Negeri 5 Menara, Penerima 8 Beasiswa « Indonesia Proud
  3. "Author Ahmad Fuadi is Living the Dream | The Jakarta Globe". Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  4. Ahmad Fuadi, Melalui Novel Berbagi Manfaat – Liputan6
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