EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), through its International Office (KUI), organized a webinar titled “Level Up Your Academic Journey: Study and Scholarship Opportunities in Japan” on Friday, March 13, 2026. The event was held online via Zoom Meeting and aimed to provide students with insights into opportunities for pursuing further studies and various scholarship programs available in Japan.
The webinar was attended by the Acting Head of UPNVJ’s International Office, Bambang Susanto; the Head of the Institute for Educational Development and Quality Assurance (LPMPP) of UPNVJ, Satria Yudhia Wijaya; and the Head of the Bureau of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Cooperation (AKK) of UPNVJ, Asropi. In addition, the event was joined by UPNVJ students who are interested in continuing their studies abroad, particularly in Japan.
In his opening remarks, Bambang Susanto stated that the dissemination of information on international study opportunities is part of UPNVJ’s strategic efforts to strengthen the internationalization of the university. He also explained that UPNVJ has established cooperation with Ritsumeikan University in Japan, and it is expected that collaborations with various universities in Japan will continue to expand in the future.
Meanwhile, Asropi emphasized the importance of international learning experiences for students. According to him, studying abroad not only enhances academic quality but also enriches global perspectives, strengthens cross-cultural adaptability, and broadens academic networks that are beneficial for students’ future career development.
The webinar featured two speakers with experience in international education: Amzul Rifin, the Education and Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo, and Al Bahits Annef, a recipient of the MEXT Scholarship who is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan.
In his presentation, Amzul Rifin explained Japan’s higher education system, which consists of three types of universities: National Universities funded by the central government, Public Universities funded by local governments, and Private Universities managed by the private sector. He also noted that the number of Indonesian students studying in Japan continues to increase each year, reflecting the strong interest of Indonesian students in the country’s educational quality and research facilities.
Furthermore, Amzul outlined various sources of study funding accessible to international students, including the Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT), University-to-University (U to U) schemes, Government-to-Government (G to G) programs, as well as other scholarships such as LPDP, Mitsui Bussan, INPEX, Ajinomoto, and JASSO. He emphasized that students need careful planning and should establish academic communication with professors at their target universities as part of a strategy to increase their chances of acceptance.
In the second session, Al Bahits Annef shared his personal experiences and practical strategies for preparing to study in Japan. He explained the various stages of the scholarship selection process, starting from administrative screening, written examinations, and interviews, to obtaining a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the intended university.
He also described the facilities provided to MEXT Scholarship recipients, including full tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare between Indonesia and Japan, and assistance in the student visa application process. During the session, he also offered several tips for prospective applicants, such as preparing language proficiency certificates, writing a strong motivation essay, and developing a clear and relevant research plan aligned with their intended field of study.
Through this event, UPNVJ students are expected to gain a more comprehensive understanding of study opportunities in Japan and to be motivated to prepare themselves early to participate in various international study programs and scholarship opportunities. In the future, UPNVJ also plans to continue promoting overseas study opportunities and expanding academic partnerships with universities in Japan in order to open more opportunities for student exchange programs and collaborative research.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
