TIMES MALAYSIA, JAKARTA – Indonesian students have an opportunity to study abroad through various scholarship programs. One of the scholarship opportunities is through IISMAVO,  a Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud Ristek) program. 

Also known as Indonesia International Student Mobility Awards for Vocational Students (IISMAVO), this scholarship program offers Indonesian students the opportunity to study abroad for one year at a reputable university. It not only supports students to develop their talents, but also helps accelerate their advancement in their field of work, which is increasingly important in this era of globalization. 

Before being accepted into the IISMAVO scholarship program, participants are required to pass a series of mandatory selection stages. The first stage is administration which includes an English test, collection of transcripts, and SKCK (Surat Keterangan Catatan Kepolisian). If all the first stages are passed, the participants will face the next stage which is the interview. In this stage, they must answer questions from the interviewer within 30 minutes.

The last stage is the announcement, where participants will have their results announced on their respective user portals. This stage shows the results of the participants who have successfully passed all the stages they did before.

In addition, participants are expected to have basic skills such as English language skills, mental toughness, and strong motivation so that the IISMAVO scholarship selection process can be successful. By having these skills, participants can be more ready to go to their target country to study there. 

Before departing, participants are given briefings from the IISMAVO committee such as financial management from previous awardees. They will also receive information on cultural and living guidelines in their destination country.

This program uses a reimburse system for visa matters, which means that they will bear the visa payment at their own expense first, then it will be reimbursed by the organizer of this scholarship.

In addition, they can gather with students from all over the world through this student exchange program to take part in learning activities, implement their ideas, and experience various cultural events. This experience is a valuable opportunity for them to travel and gain connections and information about the outside world. 

The IISMAVO scholarship program is not only a learning opportunity, but also a significant advancement in vocational education in Indonesia. This program allows students to continue their education abroad and realize their full potential. The vocational generation in Indonesia will be better prepared to actively participate in the global society and compete on an international scale. (*)