UNS – Japanese Study Center (Pusat Studi Jepang – PSJ) Institute for Research and Community Engagement (LPPM) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta and Sakura Association Alumni Indonesia (SAAI) hold a webinar on ‘Sharing and Discussion on the Experience of Sakura Science Plan (SSP) Japan Scholarship Awardee’. The event was held through Zoom Meeting and live broadcast in Faculty of Engineering (FT) YouTube channel, Saturday (27/6/2020). The webinar invited two speakers, Helen Kristin, the President SAAI and SSP 2019 alumnus who is a student of Biology Program UNS and Ika Arofa Setiawati, Director SAAI – alumni SSP 2018. The webinar was moderated by the Chief of PSJ LPPM UNS, Dr. Eng. Kusumaningdyah N.H. and was attended by 100 participants from various provinces in Indonesia.
The SSP program initiated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) since 2014, is an exchange program for students, researchers, and others who are interested in science and technology. The SSP program aims to introduce and offer science and technology experiences in Japan.
In the webinar, Helen Kristin gave tips to win a scholarship, including setting a target, finding information, and maintain a connection with the supervisor. “I told my supervisor and then I received information about the SSP from the Instagram account of the faculty member from the Faculty of Agriculture,” she explained. Helen had to prepare English proficiency certificate, passport, curriculum vitae, and motivation letter for the program. During her stay in Japan, she conducted laboratory research, presentation, open campus and learning Japanese culture. Besides shares the tips to win a scholarship, Helen also shared tips for staying at Kyoto Sangyo University (KSU).
The experience of winning SSP was also shared by Ika Arofah the alumnus of Universitas Udayana, who stated that one of the outcomes of SSP besides learning experience is continuing her study in Japan because as an alumnus of SSP, she has a connection to iProfessor (Sensei) in Japan. Thus, they can get certain priorities and is relatively familiar with the research topics. Before applying for SSP, Ika conducted a short observation on the program, especially on the campus she targeted.
The Chief of PSJ LPPM UNS, Dr. Eng. Kusumaningdyah N.H stated that UNS has many SSP awardees since 2015. “Three students from the Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Program (2015), Chemical Engineering Program (2016), Architectural Engineering Program (2018) and Chemistry Program from FMIPA (2019), all in partnership with Kyushu University. As for the Faculty of Agriculture, twice in partnership with Kyoto Sangyo University (KSU) in 2018-2019,” she explained. This event is a collaboration that aims to connect SSP alumni in Indonesia, especially those from UNS. Humas UNS
Author: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
