HumasUPNVJ - UPN Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ) together with the IISMA 2021 Sub-Pokja had the opportunity to hold the Welcoming Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) Awardees and 2022 IISMA Socialization event on Wednesday (29/12/21) which was carried out in a hybrid offline and online with the aim i welcome back the IISMA 2021 students as well as socialization of the IISMA Program to potential IISMA 2022 participants.

This activity was attended by the Chancellor of UPN Veterans Jakarta, Dr. Erna Hernawati, Ak. CPMA, CA, CGOP., Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm., Head of the UPNVJ Office of International Affairs (KUI), Dr. Prof. Eng. Rachmat Sriwijaya, ST. IPM., ASEAN Eng., and also joined in the webinar for prospective students participating in IISMA 2022.

Previously it was known that there were eight UPN Veteran Jakarta students who had successfully passed the IISMA 2021 Program. This figure is considered a quite proud achievement for UPN Veteran Jakarta as a new PTN participating in the IISMA program,

"This is an achievement as a new PTN participating in IISMA activities for the first time," said Erna.

Erna also did not forget to express her appreciation to KUI for her performance as well as the eight IISMA 2021 students who have successfully represented UPNVJ for one of the Merdeka Campus' flagship programs.

The Head of KUI, Bambang Susanto, of course, also showed his gratitude to the Chancellor and his Deputy for their support and assistance in facilitating and directing KUI and students from the registration process, when students wanted to go to their destination university until they returned to Indonesia. Bambang also appreciated the performance and dedication of the IISMA 2021 Sub-Pokja and the team in helping 1000 IISMA 2021 participants.

In his introduction, Bambang asked several things from IISMA 2021 participants, including: 1) the willingness of IISMA 2021 participants to be asked for information related to IISMA activities by future IISMA participant candidates; 2) continuing to maintain relations with students, lecturers, and other UPN Veterans Jakarta academics, as well as with Indonesian representatives, both embassies and the Indonesian Consulate, 3) ready to hold discussions with prospective IISMA participants in the future; and 4) become a liaison for cooperation between UPN Veteran Jakarta and foreign universities where they study.

Bambang hopes that there will be an increase in participants taking part in the IISMA program in the following year, "At this time, the IISMA program is indeed the first program so not many UPN students know about it. So, there are only eight participants in IISMA 2021. I then hope that students will participate as much as possible and prepare as well as possible," said Bambang.

In this event, IISMA 2021 participants had the opportunity to share their stories from the time of registration to the experiences they had at their destination university.

Participants admitted that UPNVJ was very supportive. Students are given convenience in the process of managing recommendation files and other assistance. "I really feel the difference. My friends confide from other universities. I feel alhamdulillah that UPN is very supportive. Yesterday during quarantine we were also given assistance for vitamins, for food…” said Audrey, Participant of IISMA 2021.

Ernanda, another IISMA 2021 participant, shared the most memorable thing he experienced through the IISMA program, which was being able to experience an engaging teaching and learning process where the class was not always focused on listening to the lecturer explaining the material, but there were days when the class was only opened for discussion between students. ..“In fact, there are lots of pure discussion classes. Lecturers only really give either a theory that is really just raw or maybe give a case like that. Indeed, we are really told to be active in sharing opinions, sharing each other's perspectives…” said Ernanda.

The event then continued with a presentation on the IISMA Program by the Deputy Chairperson of the IISMA 2021 Sub-Pokja, Kemendikbudristek Dr. Eng. Rachmat Sriwijaya, ST. IPM., ASEAN Eng. Through his presentation it was explained that the IISMA Program refers to other study programs, meaning that students can choose courses outside their study program. IISMA is not the usual student exchange program, but is a one-way mobility where foreign students are not given the opportunity to study in Indonesia instead.

In addition, Rachmat also mentioned the peculiarities of the IISMA program, including: 1) aimed at undergraduate students, 2) applications will be officially opened in March 2022 (for students in semesters 4 & 6); 3) not students who are on cut, and 4) intended for students who only have one nationality (ie Indonesian citizens).

The IISMA 2022 Welcoming Awardees and Socialization of IISMA activities ended with the handing over of award certificates to the Deputy Head of the 2021 IISMA Sub-Pokja by the Chancellor of UPN Veteran Jakarta and giving goody bags to IISMA 2021 participants. (sf)