Ministry of Research and Technology Launches IISMA, Encourages Undergraduate Students to Study Abroad Top Campuses

Oleh: UNG Translator . May 12, 2021 . 13:06:27

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) launched the "Indonesian Student International Mobility Scholarship" or "Indonesian International Students Mobility Awards (IISMA)" for undergraduate (S1) students to study for 1 (one) semester at a leading university in the world that is a partner of the Ministry of Education and Culture to enrich and increase their horizons and competences in the real world according to their interests and aspirations. The LPDP will fund the 2021 Indonesian Student International Mobility Scholarship Program.

Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek), Nadiem Anwar Makarim, said that a diverse learning environment would positively impact the development of individual potential.

"Demanding knowledge in various learning environments has shaped me intellectually and in character. Suppose we want students to sharpen their thinking and pursue their dreams. In that case, we have to transform the higher education system to be more relevant to the world outside campus," he said while sharing experiences through virtual in Jakarta, Tuesday (11/5).

Meanwhile, highlighting the meaning of global diversity in the Pancasila Student Profile, Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture, Nizam said that student exchanges to study abroad could enrich them with experiences, build self-confidence, and foster international friendship. "This is what we know as global diversity in the Pancasila Student Profile," he said.

IISMA is one of the flagship programs of the eight Independent Campus Programs, which aims to provide rights and opportunities for students to carry out self-development activities outside their campus at the best foreign universities. The Free Learning-Free Campus Policy (MBKM) itself will have a positive impact on students and universities in Indonesia. Students can develop skills relevant to work to learn from best practices in the world-class industry, humanitarian organizations, and research institutions.

Furthermore, the Minister of Education and Culture revealed that the IISMA program opens opportunities for students to take courses or activities outside the study program, which can be equated with up to 20 credits with the competence of the study program. Through courses and self-development activities that are in demand and following applicable requirements at partner universities abroad.

"With this scholarship program, students who meet the requirements, regardless of their university background and origin, will get credit from foreign universities that are partners. Students are facilitated to achieve learning outcomes according to their interests and talents so that after graduating from the undergraduate program, they can compete in the field of work up to the global level," explained Nadiem.

Apart from IISMA, the Education Fund Development Institute (LPDP) also funds various other Independent Campus programs such as Teaching Campus, certified Internships, and Student Exchange.

"Different from before, universities now have more flexibility to innovate in curriculum development according to their respective strategic goals. They are also able to develop partnerships with industry and, most importantly, design the advantages of their respective campuses to attract new students, "said Nadiem enthusiastically. In the joint launch event of the Minister of Education and Research and Technology, the Director-General of Higher Education, the Director of LPDP Scholarships, and the Director-General of Learning and Student Affairs, also attended the directors of the Directorate General of Higher Education, the Education and Culture Attaché of the Republic of Indonesia. Ambassadors of friendly countries and their representatives, rectors of universities in Indonesia, and leaders of foreign universities.

Collaboration with Stakeholders to Succeed IISMA.

The Minister of Education and Research and Technology expressed his appreciation to various parties who participated in a new initiative to provide opportunities for undergraduate students in Indonesia to independently manifest their interests and talents by studying at the best universities in the world.

"I am happy to welcome all of you, especially the leaders and representatives of our partner universities in Indonesia, even though they are online. I hope you can work together with our university and sub-work groups to provide valuable experiences for our undergraduate students," said Nadiem.

On this occasion, he expressed his pride because the partner universities involved in 2021 reached 73 universities from 31 countries. In the future, the Ministry of Education and Research and Technology is committed to creating education that provides opportunities for people to participate in learning and development. Minister Nadiem believes that policymakers and implementers in the field must work closely with academia, researchers at all levels, industry, and society.

"The presence of the chancellors, educational and cultural attaches, heads of international affairs offices at Indonesian universities who have worked together to prepare this international mobility program gives me hope that students will gain international experiences that will change their lives," he said proudly.

Director-General Nizam added, "We hope that, with universities sending students to foreign universities, they will be able to be directly involved in order to establish partnerships in the international arena more optimally."

Kemendikbudristek Encourages Students to Explore Off-Campus Learning

Director-General of Higher Education Kemendikbudristek, Nizam said one of the focuses of higher education in Indonesia is encouraging students to experience learning and gain knowledge and skills outside of their campus. It will be achieved by improving the quality of graduates, lecturers, and curriculum.

With off-campus learning experiences respectively through programs such as; internships, conducting actual work courses in rural areas, teaching in schools, conducting research, taking certified micro-credential courses, and participating in student exchange programs or student mobility within and abroad, it is hoped that our students will be better prepared to enter the real world after they graduate.

"Students can pursue their dreams and interests through various lectures, gain knowledge from the world's leading universities. Develop cross-cultural skills, develop international networks, and prepare themselves for the world of work and jobs that may not be created in the future," explained Nizam.

In line with the Minister of Education and Technology, the Director-General of Higher Education also hopes that this IISMA program can strengthen and open international cooperation between universities in Indonesia and their partners abroad. Thus, there will be a transformation of Indonesian higher education for the better.

Other challenges in the transformation of Indonesian higher education are curriculum design and credit recognition for off-campus activities, availability of assistant lecturers, programs, and funding. Therefore, the cooperation developed in carrying out this new initiative, namely the Indonesian Student International Mobility Scholarship, is becoming increasingly important.

"In terms of quality, the curriculum also needs to be improved through international standard study programs, collaborative and participatory learning, and cooperation with world-class universities. Our solution is to provide funding through various schemes, credit recognition policies, and recognition of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka activities as part of the lecturer's performance," said Nizam.

LPDP Scholarship Director Dwi Larso said that IISMA is a promising breakthrough. The support from the LPDP for this program covers almost all the funding students need to study abroad. The rest, students only need to try hard to pass the selection so that they can be accepted into this program.

"Besides the registration and tuition fees which will be given directly to partner universities, we also provide the cost of a round trip for economy class from the city of origin to the city of study destination. Monthly living expenses in the destination country according to LPDP provisions and health insurance while participating in the program, including fees for PCR tests related to Covid-19 examinations before leaving for the destination country and when returning to Indonesia. Then also the cost of issuing visas, and funding for emergencies (which may occur) collectively," he explained.

Dwi Larso said that this year his party provides the opportunity for the 1,000 best students to study at the world's top universities. "This is a golden opportunity, so we encourage all students to be enthusiastic about using it to get the best learning and networking at the global level. We will support the nation's children to gain experience abroad," he stressed.

On the same occasion, Director of Learning and Student Affairs, Directorate General of Higher Education, Aris Junaidi, said that foreign universities currently participating in IISMA had sent proposals, health protocol provisions, and other requirements that students must meet fulfill before coming.

"There have been many top universities in the world that are ready to accept our students, such as Great Britain, the United States, Singapore, Canada, Malaysia, South Korea. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand cannot yet because they are still in a lockdown situation," explained Aris.

For more information, interested public and students can access https://kampusmerdeka.kemdikbud.go.id/ or https://beasiswa.kemdikbud.go.id/.

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