EduAsiaNews, Surabaya – In response to the need for accurate information regarding scholarship selection processes, the LPDP Subdivision of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) organized a webinar entitled Socialization and Tips for Passing the LPDP Scholarship Selection Batch 1. The webinar was held on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) via Zoom Meeting. It specifically discussed strategies for navigating the selection stages of the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) Scholarship, covering the administrative screening, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (Tes Bakat Skolastik/TBS), and the substantive interview stage.
Encouraging the Courage to Take the First Step
On that occasion, the Head of the LPDP Subdivision at UNAIR, Nisa Afifah, delivered opening remarks and emphasized that the forum was not merely a technical briefing, but also a space for personal growth among prospective applicants.
“We are igniting something essential—the courage to take the first step. LPDP is not about who is the smartest, but about who continues to grow and returns to create impact,” said Ica, as she is commonly known.
Fulfilling Administrative Requirements
The first session explored strategies for passing the administrative stage with I Gusti Ayu Agung Istri Risna Prajna Devi, S.Psi., an LPDP awardee currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology at UNAIR. In her presentation, she encouraged participants to reflect on their motivations for pursuing further study and the goals they aim to achieve.
“When entering the administrative stage, we are not merely uploading documents; we are demonstrating our seriousness and meticulousness in applying,” Risna explained.
She highlighted four essential aspects of administrative compliance: ensuring document completeness in accordance with the latest guidelines, maintaining consistent personal identity across all documents, guaranteeing clear and legible scanned files without blur or truncation, and ensuring document validity in line with official requirements.
“A minor error, such as inconsistent name spelling, can have serious consequences. Make sure all documents are easily verifiable by the selection team,” she emphasized.
Focusing on Personal Strengths
The second session featured Asroful Hulam Zamroni, a Master of Nursing graduate from UNAIR and an LPDP 2024 awardee. He discussed strategies for tackling the Scholastic Aptitude Test (TBS), explaining that the assessment is designed to measure analytical and critical thinking skills, particularly for applicants who do not yet hold a Letter of Acceptance (LoA).
“The test lasts 135 minutes, consisting of 90 minutes for the TBS and 45 minutes for a personality assessment. Prepare as early as possible. Practice regularly and participate in try-outs to become familiar with question patterns,” Asroful advised.
He also encouraged participants to identify and map their strengths. “Not every topic must be mastered perfectly. Focus on areas that can significantly boost your score,” he noted. In addition to academic preparation, he underscored the importance of maintaining focus, staying calm during the test, and seeking prayers and blessings from parents.
Tips for Passing the Substantive Interview
The final session was delivered by Gilang Setiawan, who provided an in-depth discussion of the substantive stage. According to him, LPDP applicants today must adopt an impact-driven orientation, demonstrating measurable contributions.
“Panelists are not only asking whether we deserve to study, but whether Indonesia deserves to invest in us,” he stated.
Gilang advised participants to prepare a coherent life narrative, a realistic contribution roadmap, and responses grounded in data and national issues. “Do not focus solely on appearing outstanding. What they are looking for is not our best past, but Indonesia’s future through us,” he concluded.
