Author: Duke Paopathon Pardede (2461001) | Editor: Ambarwulan, S.T.
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the International Relations Office (IRO) of Universitas Internasional Batam successfully organized an international seminar titled “International Seminar: MEXT Scholarships.” The seminar was held from 13:30 to 15:30 at the Auditorium on the 2nd Floor of the FK Building, Universitas Internasional Batam, and was conducted in a hybrid format. The event aimed to introduce students to the MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship, a prestigious scholarship program offered by the Government of Japan that provides fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue higher education at universities in Japan. The seminar attracted strong interest from students, with around 300 participants attending the seminar offline and more than 60 participants joining online, demonstrating the high enthusiasm among UIB students to explore international study opportunities.
The seminar featured a presentation by Teresa Chiquita Goenawan, who serves as a Study Abroad Advisor at the Embassy of Japan. During the session, the speaker provided a comprehensive overview of the MEXT Scholarship program, including its background, objectives, and the various scholarship categories available for international students. Participants also received detailed information regarding eligibility requirements, application procedures, required documents, and important preparation strategies for students interested in applying for the scholarship.
Throughout the seminar, students gained valuable insights into the academic environment in Japan and the opportunities available for international students pursuing higher education there. The speaker also shared useful tips for preparing a competitive scholarship application, including how to prepare important documents and how to approach the selection process. These explanations helped students develop a clearer understanding of the steps needed to pursue further studies in Japan through the MEXT Scholarship program.
Following the presentation session, the seminar continued with an interactive question-and-answer session, where students were given the opportunity to directly ask questions to the speaker. The discussion session received enthusiastic participation from both offline and online audiences. Many students raised questions regarding the application timeline, scholarship benefits, academic requirements, and the experience of studying in Japan. The large number of questions reflected the strong interest and curiosity among students regarding international scholarship opportunities.
The seminar was conducted smoothly and created an engaging learning environment for all participants. Students showed great enthusiasm throughout the event, actively listening to the presentation and participating in the discussion session. The hybrid format also allowed more students to join the seminar and benefit from the information shared by the speaker.
Overall, the International Seminar: MEXT Scholarships successfully achieved its objective of increasing students’ awareness and understanding of scholarship opportunities provided by the Government of Japan. Through initiatives such as this seminar, the International Relations Office of Universitas Internasional Batam continues to support students in accessing global education opportunities and preparing them to pursue academic experiences abroad.
International Relation Office
Universitas Internasional Batam
