Over 50 Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) members, including students, lecturers, and staff, attended an introductory event from the University of Queensland (UQ), one of Australia’s top universities.
The event, titled ‘Study Opportunities at the University of Queensland,’ aimed to provide UGM members with information about study opportunities at UQ, including scholarship programs, academic life, and research and career prospects for UQ graduates.
Held at the UGM Library on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, Professor Puji Astuti, UGM Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, emphasized the importance of academic and research collaboration between UGM and UQ.
As a UQ alumna, she also shared her experiences studying there and the benefits of being in a supportive, high-quality academic environment.
“I truly appreciate the initiative from the University of Queensland to introduce various educational opportunities to UGM students. My own experience at UQ gave me a global perspective, a broad academic network, and invaluable research experience,” Professor Astuti said.
In the main session, Senior Principal Advisor for Southeast Asia Nadia Sarah highlighted various top programs available at UQ, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
Sarah also explained several scholarship schemes available to international students, including Indonesians.
“Scholarship schemes for Indonesian students include AAS (Australia Awards Scholarship), LPDP, and BPI (Indonesian Education Scholarship). There’s even a combination of LPDP and AAS scholarships specifically for those interested in subjects like the blue, green, and digital economy,” she explained.
Following the academic presentation, the event continued with an interactive discussion and Q&A session featuring three UQ alumni who are now working in various fields.
Dr. Darmawan D. Atmoko, currently working at the Ministry of Finance, decided to pursue further studies at UQ because he recognized the importance of quality education in supporting his career and contribution to Indonesia’s development.
Dr. Atmoko, who studied at UQ with an AAS scholarship, shared that the scholarship provided numerous benefits to recipients.
“I didn’t just gain academic opportunities, but also life experiences, such as building a global network, honing critical thinking and communication skills, and becoming more independent and adaptive,” he said.
He also offered tips for successfully securing an AAS scholarship.
He stressed the importance of thoroughly understanding the official Australia Awards guidelines to ensure that one does not miss any essential requirements or information.
According to him, careful preparation and persistence are key to success.
Additionally, choosing a research topic relevant to global and Indonesian development issues can increase acceptance chances.
“Consulting with previous scholarship recipients who studied at UQ can also provide valuable insights and strategies,” he advised.
Dr. Irna Nurhayati, a UQ alumna and now a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Law (FH UGM), shared her own challenges and valuable experiences, such as cultural adaptation, time management for academic tasks, and opportunities to build an international network.
According to her, studying abroad is not just about formal education but also about life experiences that foster independence and critical thinking.
She received two scholarships: UQI (University of Queensland Indonesia) and UQRS (University of Queensland Research Scholarship).
“Start gathering documents well before the application deadline, and clearly write your study goals and how the scholarship will contribute to your future,” she suggested.
Similarly, Dr. Irawan Jati, now a lecturer at the Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII), received an LPDP scholarship.
For him, the LPDP scholarship is a golden opportunity for those seeking higher education without financial barriers.
With careful preparation, complete document submission, and the right strategy during the selection process, the chances of obtaining the scholarship and experiencing international education at UQ are greatly increased.
“For the substance selection, prepare answers for common interview questions,” he concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Firsto