An Inspiring Story: Rayhan Adri Fulvian Showcases Geoscience Potential through the ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. International Scholarship
By Sakha Kumala Putra - Mahasiswa Teknik Geofisika, 2021
Editor Anggun Nindita
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Rayhan Adri Fulvian, a Geophysical Engineering student at ITB, has earned international recognition by being awarded the ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. Scholarship, as announced by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. This prestigious scholarship is granted to geoscience students worldwide who demonstrate strong academic potential and a clear commitment to advancing Earth sciences, particularly geophysics.
Adri was one of a select few undergraduate students who successfully passed this rigorous selection process. As a comparison, during the 2024/2025 period, only 66 out of 375 total applicants received the scholarship. Among those, the majority came from graduate and freshman categories, while only 19 out of 145 undergraduate applicants—around 13%—were selected.
Previous scholarship recipients came from a diverse range of countries, including Austria, Canada, China, France, India, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, the United States, and Indonesia.
Adri's achievement is even more remarkable considering he represents SEG ITB Student Chapter (SEG ITB SC). Notably, this marks the first time since 2021 that the SEG ITB SC has had a member awarded the SEG Scholarship, making Rayhan's success stand out even more.
The scholarship is sponsored by ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, a key contributor to innovations in subsurface exploration, including the Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) technology, which earned the SEG Distinguished Achievement Award in 2007. Through its partnership with SEG, the company is also actively involved in carbon research and international academic collaboration.
During the SEG Scholarship application process, Adri meticulously prepared his materials, including a reflective essay, academic transcripts, a CV, and letters of recommendation. In his essay, he shared how his interest in geoscience began in high school, sparked by his participation in the National Science Olympiad (OSN) in Geography. He also expressed concern about the lack of support for this field in Indonesia.
Adri shared his aspiration to pursue a career in geophysics, which he sees as a bridge between science and social impact. He is particularly interested in modelling maar lakes using magnetic data. His favourite courses include Fieldwork, Geological Hazard Analysis, and Economic Geophysics and Management.
Interestingly, Adri also applied for the SEG Restricted Scholarships, a more specialized scholarship track with specific qualifications. He submitted applications in three categories:
- SEG/Gerald W. Hohmann Scholarship, based on his experience using electromagnetic methods during field courses and community service programs.
- SEG/Gary and Lorene Servos Scholarship, focused on groundwater exploration specialization.
- SEG Educational Equity Scholarship, highlighting Indonesia’s limited access to geophysics education and research infrastructure.
“I decided to apply because of my experience applying geoelectrical methods in the field and working on groundwater projects in community service. Regarding equity, I believe Indonesia is often overlooked in the geoscience world, even though it has tremendous potential,” he explained.
Currently, Adri is working on his undergraduate thesis about the potential of Ranu Grati, a maar lake in East Java. He also actively participates in various social and interdisciplinary activities that connect geoscience with environmental and public education efforts.
“I hope that more ITB students will follow this path. The process matters—it shows the direction and contributions we aim to bring through geophysics,” he concluded.
Reporter: Sakha Kumala Putra (Geophysical Engineering, 2021)
