Adriyanto Applying His Knowledge and Networks to Support Fiscal Transfer Policy to Local Governments Across Indonesia

Adriyanto completed his PhD from the Australian National University (ANU) in 2018 on the economics of fiscal transfers for resource-rich districts in Indonesia. His thesis examined the influence of fiscal transfers from the national level on incentives (or disincentives) for revenue raising by local governments in resource-rich districts in Kalimantan and Sumatera.

Adriyanto choose to study at the ANU, first because he knew Professors with the most relevant expertise were located there. Among the many Indonesianists at the university there were some with detailed understanding of fiscal decentralisation. The other main reason that influenced his decision to study at ANU was the close relationship the university had with the Ministry of Finance.

Not long after his return to Indonesia, Adriyanto was able to begin applying his expertise directly in his work. Since late 2019, Adriyanto has been the Director, General Fund Transfers under the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance in the Ministry of Finance. In this position, Adriyanto is responsible for designing fiscal transfer policy to local governments. This includes oversight over the size of transfers, the regulations for using transfers, evaluating the effectiveness of transfers and creating policies to ensure transfers are able to link national and local government priorities. His work is crucial to the decentralisation agenda and local service delivery in Indonesia.

In discussing the factors PhD applicants should consider in choosing where to study, Adriyanto identifies two key issues. First, applicants will need to be able to apply the knowledge they obtain from their research. The research must be practical and the university must be able to help ensure it is practical. Second, applicants should ensure that they can make connections that will be relevant to their profession in the future.

Adriyanto’s advice has guided him well. Not only does his dissertation have direct relevance to the policy areas he influences in Indonesia, but he regularly calls on his supervisor and other ANU experts for advice. These networks are only a Whastapp message or email away and are happy to help, further strengthening the already strong links between the Ministry of Finance and the ANU.