This year, the acclaimed educational institution is poised to reach new heights!
Indonesia Expat has a chance to get to know Mustafa Guvercin, the Turkish-American currently serving as the Schools Director for Sampoerna Academy. As one of the key leaders at one of the most acclaimed educational institutions in Indonesia, the seasoned educator shares, among many things, his humble background, the key to Sampoerna Academy’s enduring legacy, how he continues to recognise the importance of mental well-being for the students, and why ensuring accessible, high-quality education that meets international standards requires collaborative efforts from all fronts.
Hi Mustafa! Let’s get started by introducing yourself a bit. What can you tell us about yourself?
I am originally of Albanian descent from Kosovo, but I was born and raised in Turkey. As an American citizen, I lived in Houston, Texas. In short, I am a Turkish-American. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from METU, a top university in Turkey. My Master’s degree is in pure Mathematics, and then, I earned my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. I started my career as a Mathematics teacher in international schools. I have also served as an Administrator Principal/Director/Superintendent for 25 years. I have been the Schools Director for Sampoerna Academy since 2015.
I understand that one of the reasons why Sampoerna Academy is consistently in a league of its own is the fact that Sampoerna Academy adheres to the STEAM education model. For our readers who might not necessarily be aware of this, could you briefly explain what the STEAM education model is?
This innovative approach called STEAM emphasises teaching students how to think and how to learn. Unlike conventional education systems, STEAM fosters the 5-C skills: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Character Development, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges and become future innovators. Sampoerna Academy integrates STEAM with hands-on and minds-on learning experiences, encouraging collaboration and personalised learning. Through interdisciplinary projects, students engage in meaningful problem-solving—from research and analysis to synthesis and presentation—with teachers acting as facilitators rather than traditional instructors.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Sampoerna Academy. Over the past decade, furthermore, Sampoerna Academy has generated approximately 500 alumni enrolled in some of the most prestigious universities in Indonesia and abroad. Looking back, what do you believe is the key to this remarkable longevity, as well as the alumni’s educational success thus far?
Sampoerna Academy plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders by equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in Indonesia and globally. Beyond academics, global education and global citizenship are integral to our approach, ensuring that students develop a global mindset and the ability to address complex challenges. Community partnerships and service-learning initiatives, furthermore, provide students with real-world experience and a sense of civic responsibility.
Additionally, we invest heavily in teacher development, offering ongoing professional training, innovative teaching methodologies, and technology integration. This commitment ensures that all Sampoerna Academy campuses deliver high-quality education tailored to students’ evolving needs as well as the demands of a rapidly changing world. Therefore, one of our mottos for our graduates is “College Ready, Work Ready, and Life Ready”.
As of February 2025, Sampoerna Academy has expanded into seven different campuses in five different major cities across Indonesia — the latest campus, located in Jl. DR. Cipto, Medan, was recently made official last year. Going forward, would we expect more expansions from Sampoerna Academy? If so, which cities are you guys eyeing next?
Our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality, and internationally recognised education for Indonesian students. While expansion remains part of our long-term vision, our current focus is on enhancing academic quality and refining educational methodologies across our existing campuses in Jakarta, BSD, Sentul, Surabaya, and Medan. We are also working to increase awareness and outreach to extend our impact on Indonesian education.
Sampoerna Academy made headlines recently when Sampoerna Academy BSD held a musical production, in celebration of the Lunar New Year, called Mulan: An Inspired Adaptation, which featured 459 participating students. Could you explain the importance of supporting artistic expression and education among the students at Sampoerna Academy?
We believe that through artistic expression and education, students will be able to develop some of the vital skills that are essential in the 21st century. Especially, the integration of arts within the STEAM pedagogy helps students develop problem-solving and creativity skills, including thinking outside the box. The play, furthermore, also involved coordination between actors, musicians, stage crews, and directors. This, as a result, helped the students nurture the importance of working together toward a shared goal as they learned to respect different roles, handle conflicts constructively, and support one another.
As the Mulan story captured Chinese culture entirely, the production itself promoted cultural appreciation, where students learned about Chinese traditions, values, and perspectives beyond their own. Understanding the culture through play could foster empathy and appreciation skills for the diverse cultures in students, which is essential in today’s interconnected and multicultural world. Also, in between their role plays and practices, we saw students helping each other with their homework or exam prep. We were so glad to see this bond strengthening among them.
Let’s look back on the year 2024 for a bit. One of the most disconcerting news items of last year was when the Health Collaborative Center (HCC) and Fokus Kesehatan Indonesia (FKI) reported that 34% of high school students in Jakarta suffered from mental health issues. For this year, how do you and Sampoerna Academy take into account the students’ mental health — especially the students who have entered adolescence— in terms of the school’s day-to-day activities and curriculum?
At Sampoerna Academy, we recognise the importance of mental well-being, particularly for adolescents navigating academic and personal challenges. We integrate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into our curriculum, equipping students with skills to understand emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Our teachers foster open communication through initiatives like anonymous dropboxes as well as the “I Wish My Teacher Knew” platform, ensuring students feel heard and supported. Additionally, we provide safe spaces where students can take breaks and process their emotions in a nurturing environment. Beyond academics, our dedicated counselors offer both academic and personal guidance, helping students manage challenges related to friendships, family, and personal growth.
Speaking as an educator, besides the students’ mental health, what do you think is the most urgent education-related issue that should be addressed by not only Sampoerna Academy but also, hopefully, the government and all the primary education schools in Indonesia?
Another pressing issue in Indonesia’s education system is ensuring accessible, high-quality education that meets international standards, particularly for the middle class. Although the government has managed to increase school access, funding, and a high rate of school enrollment in line with its policy on 12 years of compulsory education, Indonesia still faces significant challenges in moving beyond improving access to education toward achieving accessible, high-quality education. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts from educational institutions, the government, and stakeholders
Is there any scholarship opportunity or school tuition-related programme at Sampoerna Academy that you can tease for the year 2025?
For further details, including application requirements, administrative processes, and placement test preparation, please visit: www.sampoernaacademy.sch.id/en/scholarship.
Last but not least, how can our readers reach you and Sampoerna Academy?
Sampoerna Academy has seven campuses located in Jakarta, BSD, Sentul, Surabaya, and Medan. Parents and interested readers can visit our campuses or reach us through the following channels:
- Website: www.sampoernaacademy.sch.id
- Instagram: @sampoerna.academy
- WhatsApp: +62 812 3426 7234