UNS — The Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has received seven Doctoral Program students through the Doctoral Study Scholarship, which is intended for excellent UNS Master’s program graduates. The scholarship given is in the form of an exemption from the Institution Development Contribution Fee (SPI) and Single Tuition Fee (UKT) for 6 (six) semesters.
Additionally, this program also allows the graduates to be assigned to certain units in UNS. This is in line with the UNS Main Performance Indicator (IKU UNS) where 80% of the lecturers must hold a Doctoral degree.
The uns.ac.id team gets an opportunity to discuss with one of the scholarship awardees, Rizka Ayu Setyani., SST., MPH., an alumnus of the Master Program in Public Health Science (IKM). Rizka who come back to UNS as a Doctoral student for the 2nd Period of the Academic Calendar 2020/2021, states that she must compete with more than 30 other participants until she was selected as the only scholarship recipient from Doctoral Program in IKM.
“This selection is open for all alumni of UNS Master Program. I got this information from the alumni group chat, afterward, I tried to get further information to ensure this. Indeed, the information is available on the SPMB UNS website,” Rizka said on Sunday (22/3/2021).
The application criteria are, the applicant must not older than 35 years old, have a GPA higher than or equal to 3.5, have a favorable English proficiency proved with TOEFL score>= 475 or IELTS >= 5.5, have an Academic Potential Test (TPA)>= 500, have a promotor who will supervise the two research articles publication process in reputable International Journal, and willing to work for UNS for 2n+1 period.
Rizka explains that all applicants must include their international publication experience and sign a letter of commitment to finish study and willingness to work for UNS after graduation. “This scholarship awarding also serves as lecturers selection process, after we graduated we will be assigned to a certain unit. In line with the scholarship contract, Insyaallah, I will be assigned to the Faculty of Medical Science. This has become a double blessing for me. Receiving scholarship and appointed as young lecturers in UNS,” Rizka added.
Those two blessings made Rizka feel thankful. Initially, she planned to continue her study to a Doctoral degree in 2021, but still trying to find the right university and scholarship. Dua hal yang diperoleh Rizka itu tentu membuatnya bersyukur dan merasakan kebermanfaatannya. Awalnya, Rizka memang ingin melanjutkan program doktor pada 2021 ini. Until she finds this opportunity. Other than competing with the other 30 applicants, Rizka needs to pass some selection processes such as TPA, virtual English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and four interviews, which consist of psychological interview, interview with selected faculty, interview with the study program, and study readiness interview with the Rectory of UNS.
When asked what excellences made her chosen as a scholarship recipient, Rizka said that the committee must know better than her. However, Rizka considers that her loyalty in pursuing a diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree in UNS, becomes one of the reasons behind her selection.
As for achievements and contributions, Rizka succeeded in establishing the Complimentary School Cinta Ibu (SEKOCI), developing innovation for Pregnancy Class in two Puskesmas in Yogyakarta. Even more, SEKOCI is awarded as the Best Participant under the Health Category in the Paragon Innovation Awards 2021 organized by PT. Paragon Technology and Innovation.
“This is not only a scholarship selection but also lecturers recruitment, due to the vacancy in Midwifery Study Program UNS, that planned to establish a Bachelor and Professional Program in Midwifery. Therefore, a qualified human resource with a Doctoral degree is needed,” Rizka reveals.
Regarding the Dissertation topic, Rizka wishes to aim for technological-based HIV handling for the millennials generation or known as mobile health. Currently, information technology getting closer to the community especially the youth, especially during the Covid-19 pandemics with social distancing and HIV screening, which is important for the Three Zeroes.
“I planned to make this application as a tracking system that can assist the AIDS Prevention Commission or LSM in reaching out the risky group,” explains Rizka, who currently acts as the Public Relation in Tokoved start-up informatics technology. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti