Study abroad to improve prospects<\/p>\n
In this and related articles on Page 2, The Jakarta Post
\ncontributors I. Christianto and Nuraini Razak study the channels
\npeople can go through in order to win scholarships to study
\nabroad.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Value is usually added to the evaluation of a
\npotential job applicant when they reveal that, not only have they
\nstudied abroad, but they did it on a prestigious scholarship
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
Why? Because many of us still think that overseas graduates
\nare of a higher quality than homegrown ones. This opinion is
\ncertainly debatable, but what is certain is that those wanting to
\nstudy abroad usually think they could have better career
\nprospects, higher potential earnings and a more promising future
\nonce their studies are complete.<\/p>\n
There are literally thousands of courses to choose from and
\nhundreds of schools, colleges and universities for a chance to
\nstudy in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, etc.
\nSubjects range from science, arts and humanities to technology,
\nbusiness and engineering.<\/p>\n
The type of learning activities available range from
\nindependent schooling to postgraduate higher education. Study
\nabroad programs often offer more course options, more flexibility
\nand more opportunities for students to realize their ambitions.<\/p>\n
However, the fact that course fees abroad are significantly
\nhigher than studying the equivalent courses in local universities
\nhas pushed many potential candidates to apply for scholarships.<\/p>\n
Monique Soesman of the Netherlands Education Center (NEC) said
\nher institution offers various scholarships for Indonesians,
\nincluding the Tinbergen Scholarship Program (TSP), Regular
\nFellowship Program (RFP), STUNED (Study in Nederland), Special
\nFellowship Program (SFP), University Fellowship Program (UFP) and
\nHuygens Scholarship Program.<\/p>\n
The TSP is a student exchange program at bachelor degree level
\nfor a maximum of two semesters. Under this program Indonesian
\nstudents are sent to a partner institution in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
The RFP, STUNED and SFP programs are for professionals under
\n40 years (male) and 45 years (female) who wish to undertake a
\nmasters degree.<\/p>\n
\"An age limitation is necessary because it has something to do
\nwith productivity,\" Monique said.<\/p>\n
She added that the target group for STUNED includes university
\nlecturers, government officials, NGO staff and other
\nprofessionals, as most of the programs focus on three major
\nfields: poverty alleviation, environment and good governance.<\/p>\n
She said SFP is a tailor-made program to meet specific
\nrequirements, while UFP is for fresh graduates or those who
\ngraduated no longer than two years ago and wish to undertake
\npostgraduate study within a restricted number of courses.<\/p>\n
Huygens is for research for any PhD. program for a period up
\nto 10 months only, she added.<\/p>\n
General requirements include an educational background that is
\ndirectly related to the course subject, an adequate level of
\nEnglish (TOEFL 500-550) and good health.<\/p>\n
Monique said STUNED is the only program financed by NEC, while
\nthe other programs are financially supported by the Dutch
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
\"In principle, there are numerous studies conducted in English
\nwhich may attract students from Indonesia. Therefore students do
\nnot have to master the Dutch language prior to their departure.<\/p>\n
\"For the first time, there's one female student who will
\nundertake a linguistics program taught in the Indonesian
\nlanguage. She will commence study next year,\" she said.<\/p>\n
There are 145 students receiving the scholarship this year,
\ncompared to 85 in 2000.<\/p>\n
\"Total funds allocated to the scholarship this year is 6
\nmillion guilders (Rp 27.5 billion), doubled from 3 million
\nguilders in 2000, so more Indonesians are able to get the
\nscholarships. NEC is happy there are more applicants from outside
\nof Java,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She added that next year NEC will promote the scholarship
\nprograms to more provinces across Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"NEC will be pleased if there are more applicants from areas
\noutside Java,\" she said, adding that those interested in applying
\nfor any of the scholarships are advised to submit their
\napplications and related documents immediately before the
\ndeadlines -- usually in February, April and May.<\/p>\n
Candidates are normally selected by an independent committee
\nwhose members include personnel from the Dutch embassy,
\nNetherlands Alumni Association and other institutes, she said.<\/p>\n
Companies<\/p>\n
In addition to scholarships offered by embassies in Jakarta or
\nforeign educational institutes, there are also higher education
\nprograms offered by private companies. One such company is PT
\nFujitsu Systems Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Andaruwati of Fujitsu said that the company usually selects
\ntwo talented Indonesians annually to undertake an MBA program and
\na short course in Hawaii.<\/p>\n
\"This year is the 18th program. We will start receiving
\napplications from this month until October,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She said that the MBA program and the short course are both
\nheld at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.<\/p>\n
\"The MBA programs last 15 months, which includes three-months
\nof job training. Meanwhile, the short course is a four month
\nprogram which includes job training in Japan,\" Andaruwati said.<\/p>\n
The scholarship for the MBA program is worth around US$50,000
\nto $55,000 and covers full tuition, airfares and living costs.
\nThe scholarship for the short course is worth between $13,000 and
\n21,000, she said.<\/p>\n
She said that the program started in 1985 when Fujitsu
\ncommemorated its 50th anniversary. \"The program is dedicated to
\nimproving the quality of education and human resources in
\nIndonesia,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Andaruwati said that, since the beginning of the programs,
\nthere has only 100 applications forms for each one.<\/p>\n
\"Many people are interested in the program,\" she said. \"But we
\nwill not give forms to anyone whose TOEFL score is below 600 for
\nthe MBA program and below 500 for the short course program. Many
\npeople do not meet this preliminary requirement.\"<\/p>\n
In addition, the MBA candidates should also have GMAT with a
\nminimum score of 500, she said, adding that all candidates should
\nhave a bachelor degree with a minimum three year's professional
\nexperience.<\/p>\n
\"There's no age limitation for the program, and,
\ninterestingly, we see candidates with a wide range of educational
\nbackgrounds every year. Once, a physician won the MBA program,\"
\nAndaruwati said.<\/p>\n
She said the Fujitsu office in Jakarta would send 200
\napplications to Honolulu for the selection process.<\/p>\n
\"There are usually some seven candidates shortlisted. A panel,
\nconsisting of personnel from Fujitsu headquarters in Japan and
\nthe University of Hawaii, will come to Jakarta in February to
\ninterview the candidates. Then there will be only one winner for
\nboth the MBA and short course program,\" she said, adding that the
\ndecision was usually announced in April.<\/p>\n
Universities<\/p>\n
There are some overseas universities offering scholarships to
\nIndonesian students. Among them is Nanyang Technical University
\n(NTU) in Singapore.<\/p>\n
A representative of NTU in Jakarta, Tyson Sutandi, said that
\nthe university had been offering the scholarship to Indonesian
\nstudents for quite some time.<\/p>\n
\"There are scholarships both for graduate and postgraduate
\ndegrees in civil engineering, electronics, mechanical
\nengineering, computer engineering and material engineering,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
What if people wish to study overseas but not to pursue a
\ndegree? The Nippon Foundation Fellowship offers great
\nopportunities to Indonesians for research and other activities
\nwith its programs Asian Public Intellectuals (API) Junior
\nFellowship and the API Senior Fellowship.<\/p>\n
By public intellectuals, the foundation means academics, mass
\nmedia professionals, artists, NGO activists and others with
\n\"moral authority\" who are working to shape public opinion and
\ninfluence in their societies.<\/p>\n
The API Senior Fellowship is granted for those aged 35 and
\nabove to carry out research and\/or professional activities for a
\nperiod of between one to twelve months. The API Junior Fellowship
\nis granted to people aged under 35, allowing them to carry out
\nresearch and\/or professional activities for a period of between
\nsix to 12 months.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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