LUTHFI DHOFIER

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

What brought me to KPU was the opportunity to pursue an accessible, practical, and intellectually meaningful education while building my life in Canada. I chose Political Science because I wanted to better understand power, governance, justice, history, and how decisions made by institutions affect people’s lives.

As someone who came to Canada from Indonesia, I was especially interested in how political systems, public policy, international relations, and historical forces shape societies. KPU gave me a strong foundation to explore those questions. The Political Science program helped me sharpen my critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills, while also giving me the confidence to see myself as someone who could contribute to public life, policy discussions, and international affairs.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I am the Founder and Principal of Meridian Gate Advisory, a strategy and international trade advisory firm focused on diplomacy, global engagement, and cross-border opportunities. My day-to-day work involves rigorous policy and geopolitical analysis, developing business and investment strategies for clients in relation to the broader geopolitical landscape, and liaising with executives across private and public sector organizations.

Beyond my advisory work, I serve as President of the Canadian International Council Vancouver, where I lead the organization in delivering programs and events that engage communities on international issues. I have also published two books on human security and climate change: Understanding Human Security and Climate Change, co-authored with KPU professor Ross Michael Pink, and The Human Security of Climate Change. Both were published by academic publishing companies in the United Kingdom.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

The most valuable skills I gained from KPU were critical thinking, research, writing, and the ability to understand complex political and historical issues from multiple perspectives. My Political Science education helped me examine how power, institutions, policy decisions, and historical forces shape societies and people’s lives. Those skills remain central to my work today in policy analysis, geopolitical advisory, international affairs, and strategic engagement.

KPU also gave me the confidence to take ideas seriously and communicate them clearly. Whether I am developing strategy for clients, writing on human security and climate change, speaking with executives, or leading public programs through the Canadian International Council Vancouver, I continue to rely on the analytical foundation I built at KPU. The ability to connect theory with real-world consequences has been one of the most important parts of my education.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

My advice is to take your convictions seriously, but stay open enough to grow. Know what matters to you, what kind of work feels meaningful, and what values you are not willing to compromise. At the same time, understand that your career path may not be linear. Some of the most important opportunities may come from unexpected places.

Work hard, ask questions, and make use of the support around you. Your professors can be important mentors, but you have to take the initiative to reach out. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, because mistakes are often where you build judgment, resilience, and confidence. And finally, try to enjoy the process. A successful career is not only about reaching the next title or position. It is also about becoming the kind of person who can grow, contribute, and keep going with purpose.