Abdul Rifai (Dudung) Kertanegara

His family's roots run deep in Sukamandi, where his great-grandfather was a well-known farmer and trader who was also heavily involved in spreading Islam and even helping people go on Hajj. This spiritual legacy was passed down directly by his parents. They taught him that real success isn't about money; it’s about keeping your word to God—doing what's right and staying away from what's forbidden. On top of that, success means always being honest, treating everyone fairly, and actively protecting nature and the environment. For him, this is how you truly respect and care for the blessings you've been given.

His education was a focused blend of technical expertise and a deep commitment to the natural world. He started his journey from 1968 to 1972 at the Bandung Technology Institute, earning a degree in Mining and Mineral Engineering. Crucially, his college years weren't just about the classroom; he dedicated himself to Wanadri, one of Indonesia's oldest and most respected nature conservation groups. This early mix of tough technical discipline and a love for the outdoors helped shape the kind of balanced leader he would become. From 1973 to 1976, he moved overseas to earn his Master's degree in Economic Geology at Technische Universität Berlin, where he also joined the Persatuan Pemuda German (German Youth Association). His commitment to growth never stopped. Years later, even after reaching the rank of Vice President, he still pushed himself, attending the elite Executive Development Program at Duke University in 1996. This lifelong pursuit of knowledge clearly shows his belief that improvement is a constant, career-long effort.

1977 – 1980 Wellsites Geologist, Operation Geophysicist, PT Stanvac Indonesia (Lirik, Central Sumatra); 1980 – 1983 Senior Geophysicist, ConocoPhillips Indonesia (Jakarta); 1983 – 1985 Staff Geophysicist, ConocoPhillips Indonesia (Ponca City, Oklahoma, USA); 1991 – 1993 Geophysical Advisor, ConocoPhillips Indonesia (Houston, Texas, USA); 1993 Chief Geophysicist, ConocoPhillips Indonesia; 1994 Exploration Manager, ConocoPhillips Indonesia; 1996 Operating Unit Manager Warim, ConocoPhillips Indonesia; 1997 – 2005 Vice President Relations and Development, ConocoPhillips Indonesia; 2005 – 2009 President Director, Pacific Oil and Gas Pty Limited (Jakarta, Indonesia); 2010 – Present Country Director Indonesia, Subsea 7

In 2020, he wrote a book entitled “In Search of Meaning.” This e-book highlights Dudung's career in the Indonesian oil industry, emphasizing not only his professional achievements but also his search for deeper values in life. It emphasizes the importance of emotional and spiritual intelligence in conjunction with academic knowledge and practical experience, particularly for learners, academics, and practitioners in the field of geology.

Dudung puts his leadership philosophy—that "wherever he is, he must bring benefits to the surroundings"—into action through serious social commitment (CSR). He founded Rumah Literasi Natanegara, a community learning house, which holds sessions every Saturday for kids, focusing on: Literacy: Sharpening reading and writing skills. Nature: Teaching them to love and understand the environment. Character (Akhlakul Karimah): Instilling strong moral and ethical values. Beyond the learning house, his generosity extends to wider community work: he actively supports local schools with textbooks and educational supplies. He teaches kids valuable practical life skills like gardening and farming. This deep social commitment perfectly mirrors the main message of his book, "In Search of Meaning," which argues that true, fulfilling leadership requires holistic intelligence and a strong desire to serve others.

Talk about stepping up! Following the horrific 2004 Tsunami, Dudung didn't hesitate. For six intensive months, he transitioned from his executive role in the oil industry to becoming an on-the-ground crisis leader. His mission was clear: restore essential infrastructure (roads, power, communication) and organize early support to help shattered local communities start their recovery. This was a critical, hands-on demonstration of his commitment to serving Indonesia when it needed him most.

Bahasa Indonesia; English; German

Reading psychology books, science books, and currently, he is actively memorising the Quran

Dudung’s drive began far from the boardroom, rooted in a simple village life defined by honesty and faith—values instilled by his honest, high-ranking parents and his respected grandmother. Every day, he tackled an exhausting 10-12 kilometer walk to school. That grueling journey forged his fierce determination to succeed and study abroad, with Germany as his target. He fought for and won a scholarship. Even thousands of miles away, the spiritual link remained his lifeline. When tough times hit in Germany, his mother’s letters, filled with prayers, were a miraculous boost, fueling his spirit to keep learning. His success wasn't just personal; it was a win for the family. He ultimately used his achievement to help his younger siblings also study in Germany, proving that his hard-won success was always about lifting up those around him.

Looking ahead, his focus is clear: to elevate his social mission and create a legacy of service. His major goal is to significantly grow and expand his foundation and schools. This effort is driven by his core belief in bringing universal benefit, aiming to increase the reach and positive impact of his educational work so that far more people can benefit from the holistic character and life skills training he advocates. His future is dedicated to scaling the very essence of his philosophy.

His secret is not in a boardroom strategy or a technical manual. It's totally grounded in his faith. He lives by a powerful conviction: The Almighty will always deliver the absolute best for you, but you have to do your part. That means staying true to the path—following the commands and avoiding the no-go zones. But the real magic ingredient? He insists on this: Spend your life helping others. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you must constantly try to add value to people's lives. For Dudung, success isn't just about what you get; it’s about what you give and making sure you leave people better off than you found them. That simple, powerful approach is what drove him from the village path to the executive suite.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.