KISE – On the 24th of January, 2024, a significant meeting took place in the Arjuno room involving the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology to assess the readiness of UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur to become a preferred institution for international students awarded the KNB scholarship. The KNB Scholarship is an initiative by the Indonesian government aimed at providing educational opportunities to international students from developing countries. This initiative is highly beneficial as it aids in the internationalization of universities.
UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur is actively striving to enhance the quality of its education and services. These efforts are directed towards ensuring the university is recognized globally and considered equivalent to top-tier universities worldwide, thereby achieving a notable position in global rankings. This evaluation was attended by various university officials, including Unit Heads, Study Program Coordinators, Lecturers, Staff, the Vice Rector, and guests from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, and Technology.
The International Office and the Executive Secretariat (KISE) meticulously organized the event. Vice-Rector 3, Prof. Dr. Lukman Arif, M.Si, highlighted in his speech that the KNB scholarship underscores UPN’s dedication to enhancing educational quality and fostering international cooperation, mainly through scholarships for developing countries. Following the university’s preparedness presentation, Mr. Indrawan, Head of KISE, conducted a question and answer session. The program also included a tour of the campus facilities designed to support international students, such as the Crisis Center, Community Center, Language Center, Library, Classrooms, KISE, Sports Facilities, Clinics, Dormitories, and the Research Center.
Putri Nailatul Himma, the Chief Assessor, mentioned the rigorous selection process for universities to host the KNB scholarship, emphasizing the need for excellent facilities and readiness to provide quality education to international students. The scholarship includes a full academic program plus a one-year language study provided by the university, highlighting the importance of careful university selection as a mark of international diplomatic respect.
UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur offers a wide range of internationally accredited study programs and focuses on research related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with an increasing number of publications. The university has also partnered with 22 foreign universities, indicating its commitment to internationalization and its goal to be recognized among the top 500 universities globally.
Vice-Rector 3, Prof. Lukman, expressed that the scholarship program is an opportunity to contribute to the global academic community by nurturing future leaders and intellectuals. He thanked the assessors for their evaluation and underscored the scholarship as a step towards increased cooperation and a brighter future, including forming sustainable partnerships and enabling scholarship recipients to contribute to their home countries’ development.
The event concluded positively, with the assessors acknowledging UPN’s readiness for the KNB Scholarship despite some areas needing improvement. Vice-Rector 1, Prof. Euis Nurul Hidayah, ST, M.T., Ph.D., welcomed the assessors’ feedback, reflecting the university’s optimistic outlook towards becoming a part of the KNB Scholarship program and fulfilling further requirements for selection.
Author: Alfia Nur Aulia – COMED Volunteer