SERANG – The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemdikbud) of the Republic of Indonesia together with the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) has again opened up opportunities for the best Indonesian students to study at one of the 73 best universities spread across 31 countries through the Indonesian International Student Mobility program. Awards (IISMA). This was socialized through the “Untirta IISMA 2022 Preparation Program” facilitated by the International Service Center (PELITA) Untirta on Thursday, February 10, 2022 to the leaders, deans, vice deans, lecturers, and students of Untirta and several other universities such as Uniba, Unsera , Unbaja, and UNMA online via the zoom app.
“Students who are members of the IISMA program will study in other study programs and take courses that are not in the curriculum in the current study program,” explained the Head of IISMA Program, Dr. eng. Ir. R. Rachmat A. Sriwijaya, S.T., M.T., D.Eng., IPM., ASEAN Eng. “The campuses are also different because students will study at the best universities abroad that have experience managing international students.” he continued.
Rachmat emphasized that IISMA aims to create global leaders who are able to compete in the international world of work, so that participants are ensured to gain real experience in the destination country, not online distance learning. “This IISMA program is not an online program, but offline because we want you to feel like you are in a new environment that you are not familiar with.” he said.
IISMA participants are encouraged to not only study in class, but also to explore in the destination country in order to learn and familiarize themselves with the culture of the local community. Therefore, the number of courses that can be taken by IISMA participants is also adjusted to local students, namely 3-4 courses out of 20 courses offered.
Obviously, “Based on surveys and observations, the study (portion) of normal students (abroad) is 4 subjects, so we give the same weight to local students there. You have to put your energy into exploring the city, not just studying in class.”
The method used in the IISMA program is recognition or recognition, not conversion or credit transfer which is often done in other student exchange programs. “So far we have known credit conversion, but IISMA uses recognition or recognition. IISMA will not use academic calculators and do not think about (chosen courses) which courses (which are equivalent to the original university curriculum) will go into.” Grace explained. Thus, the courses taken by students at the destination tertiary institution will be listed as is on the transcript with a weight of 20 credits even though the course is not included in the curriculum of the original tertiary institution. “If you replace the courses with courses that are already in the curriculum, then there is no difference between students who take part in IISMA and students who study at the original campus.” Strictly speaking.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Innovation Development, Service, and Research Downstream, Dr. H. Agus Sjafari, S.Sos., M.Si welcomed the IISMA socialization which he considered important to provide briefing to students who are eager and have great interest. “This is a very good program programmed by the Ministry of Education and Culture as part of the wider MBKM, not only at the national but international level. The learning experience that will be gained by students is certainly valuable.” he said.
Agus also reminded students to prepare thoroughly if they are interested in participating in this program. “This program cannot be easily implemented. There are preparations that need to be carried out, including this morning, namely the socialization of what IISMA is, how to be accepted, and what to prepare when you become a participant. The most important preparation is the problem of English which can be represented by TOEFL or IELTS scores. Then, other academic preparations and mental readiness as well.” The message.
Revina Dea Nanda, the only Untirta student who passed the IISMA program in 2021, also shared her experiences when implementing the program in Ireland. He shared that there were various interesting activities that he did not encounter in universities in Indonesia.
“I graduated at the National University of Ireland, Galway. During that time I took 3 courses. So we can take a cross-departmental matkul. I am in the same class with students from Germany, Spain, Italy, and others and can also enter the regular class with Irish students.” The story.
According to him, stomach problems were the biggest challenge while studying in Ireland, so he needed to cook his own food to ensure it was halal. “Life there is difficult and easy because Indonesian food is not widely sold there, so we have to be smart about finding halal food ingredients and processing them ourselves.” The story.
The IISMA program, which was first held in 2021, is listed as one of the nine Merdeka Learning Campus Merdeka (MBKM) programs launched by Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim. Therefore, IISMA has a legal and strong position because it is regulated in the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Number 74/P/2021 concerning Recognition of Semester Learning Credit Units for the Independent Campus Program. Registration for IISMA 2022 will be open from March 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022. Students who want to learn more about IISMA can visit the official website https://kampusmerdeka.kemdikbud.go.id/km/IISMA or Instagram account @IISMA_RI
Also present at this outreach event, Dr. Udi Samanhudi M.Pd as Head of Pelita Untirta, Eko Supriyanto, S.Kom., MM., M.Ak as Sub Coordinator of Program, Partnership and Adm UPT International Services Untirta, deans and deputy deans of faculties, coordinators and sub-coordinators, the heads of UPP and UPT, heads of departments and study programs, as well as students in Untirta and a number of other universities in Banten. (Humas – SAC / AAP / VDF / RJ) (Translated by IO-NS)
