Kasman Suhairi: Bridging Nations Through Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

New York: Indonesian educator Kasman Suhairi was among members of the Indonesian diaspora who welcomed President Prabowo Subianto during his official visit to the United States, coinciding with the president’s address at the United Nations General Assembly.

Kasman, a STEM educator specializing in K–12 mathematics, said he felt proud to witness the moment, expressing hope that the visit would strengthen the connection between Indonesians at home and abroad.

A graduate with honors from the University of Indonesia and Bina Nusantara University, Kasman received full scholarships from Bentoel Bakti Indonesia and Procter & Gamble (P&G) for his academic excellence and community engagement in education. Throughout his studies, he actively served as a Graduate Student Assistant and Laboratory Assistant, furthering his experience in teaching and research.

Kasman’s dedication to education has earned him several international recognitions, including awards from Epson, Siemens, and Ericsson. His professional journey has focused on strengthening student achievement in STEM fields, emphasizing mathematical reasoning, exploration, and proof-based learning—principles aligned with global educational standards.

In 2020, Kasman served as a judge on the expert panel of the World Sakamoto Mathematics Championship (PDNF WoSamaC), assessing young talents for advancement to national and international levels.

After moving to the United States in 2021, Kasman benefited from mentorship under distinguished scholars from leading U.S. universities and nonprofit research institutions. These experiences helped him craft an innovative teaching model that integrates the Japanese Sakamoto method with American educational practices, promoting personalized, data-driven learning. His approach has demonstrated significant success, particularly among students in disadvantaged communities.

Today, Kasman is recognized as an inspiring figure in K–12 mathematics education. His teaching philosophy centers on helping students build understanding through reasoning and exploration—echoing the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

For Kasman, education serves as more than a profession—it is a bridge between nations. Through his work, he continues to connect Indonesian and American communities in shared learning and cultural understanding, laying a foundation for long-term collaboration between the two countries.