Sauqina is a recipient of the Fulbright Doctoral Degree (PhD) Scholarship Program, she studies learning and teaching in STEM at North Carolina State University in 2026.

The article originally appeared on ced.ncsu.edu on August 14, 2026.

After various roles in the field of science education, Sauqina had the opportunity to help prepare the next generation of science teachers.

Now, as a Fulbright Scholar earning her Ph.D. in the Learning and Teaching in STEM science education concentration, she is excited to upgrade her skills and work with other experts in the NC State College of Education.

Get to know Saquina:

Hometown: I’m from South Kalimantan, a province on Borneo Island, Indonesia.

Degree: Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM science education concentration

Educational and career background: I studied biology education for my undergraduate degree at Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia, and then I completed a science education master’s degree at the UCL Institute of Education, London. I am a science educator lecturer whose career began not in school classrooms but in research and community. I have worked as an associate researcher for development issues, a researcher and expert advisor for the CSR foundation of an energy company, focusing on education improvement. The chance to be a lecturer teaching pre-service science teachers came later, where I not only teach, but also co-develop curricula for pre-service science teachers’ undergraduate program.

Why I chose the College of Education: The College of Education is located in a state that hosts major STEM companies, science fairs supported by local STEM industries, and after-school science programs that encourage students and teachers to engage with career-relevant STEM skills. I am very glad I will have the opportunity to work with Dr. Carla Johnson who has extensive knowledge and experience in STEM education that connects both professionals and schools. Moreover, the Ph.D. program offers not only Ph.D. research programs but also allows me to take both pedagogy and science courses, which I believe will really prepare me to upgrade my skills as a STEM education lecturer.

What sparked my research interests: My research interest is in studying cross-sector STEM initiatives (such as between schools and local industries) that can inspire future local scientists and engineers. I am interested to understand how such initiatives can be created and what kind of relationships between different education and STEM actors is needed to ensure the space can sustain. This goal is rooted in my work experience, which has shown me how education actors’ decisions and actions, such as government policy and non-government institutions’ initiatives, can influence the teaching and learning experience in schools.

What I’m most looking forward to in attending the College of Education: I look forward to the classes for my first and second year. It is the best opportunity to indulge in academic conversation and learn more about the most recent views and findings in STEM education.

On what it means to be a Fulbright Scholar: It is an honor for me to be chosen as a Fulbright Scholar from Indonesia. There are not many people who can get this opportunity, and I am grateful that I was chosen as one of a few Indonesian to get to do a Ph.D. with Fulbright support. Fulbright has brought me to meet other Fulbrighters who share my interest in pursuing an academic journey from all over the world. It has opened up doors to places, experiences and opportunities I have never known before. For that, I am very grateful.