Three students of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Universitas Indonesia (FMNS UI) have passed the selection of the 2022 Sakura Science Exchange Program. They are Ani Sulistyani (Bachelor of Physics class of 2019), Alyssa Zahwa Ananda (Bachelor of Biology class of 2018), and Jihan Lathifah Iqlima (Bachelor of Biology class of 2019).
This was announced by Osaka University, Japan, through the participants’ personal emails sent on Monday (4/7). Previously at the selection stage of the program, two participants from the Biology Study Program had undergone two stages of interviews. The first stage interview was held on May 31, 2022 by the Biology Department for 22 prospective participants. Meanwhile, the second stage interview was held on June 23, 2022 by Osaka University for five prospective participants consisting of three students from the Biology Study Program and two students from the Physics Study Program.
One of the participants, Jihan, said she was very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to take part in the activity program which is the implementation of cooperation between FMNS UI and Osaka University. For Jihan, this kind of activity is one of the goals to be achieved when registering as a student of FMNS UI. Because according to her, student exchange is an opportunity to further develop themselves while looking for new experiences abroad.
“This overseas exchange program was one of my goals when I entered UI. So I am very grateful, Alhamdulillah, to be able to join this program. I hope to participate in this program so that I can learn a lot and be able to share my knowledge back to my alma mater,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dean of FMNS UI Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., welcomed this good news. Because, said the Dean, even though it is still in the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the implementation of the Sakura Science Exchange this year can be carried out directly after the previous vacuum due to the pandemic. So he advised the three students to be able to make the most of this opportunity as a means of exploring themselves.
“Use this opportunity as best as possible to see firsthand the progress of science and technology in Japan. We should be grateful, this year, the Sakura Science Exchange program can be carried out directly after approximately two years of restrictions due to the pandemic,” said Dean Dede. Furthermore, the Dean hopes that this activity can encourage the achievement of the Main Performance Indicator #2 of the Universitas Indonesia.
Sakura Science Exchange Program is an international academic program supported by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in collaboration with several universities from various countries. The program aims to introduce Japanese science and technology to students from universities around the world.
The timeline of activities for the program participants is scheduled to depart for Japan on September 18, 2022. Upon arrival at Narita Airport, the three FMNS students will be immediately directed to Fukushima, the place of activity during the student exchange program. There they will carry out a series of activity agendas together with students from various universities in ASEAN countries.
Some of the program activities include taking soil samples in the field area at the Daichi Power Plant which will then be checked for radioactivity levels. Furthermore, the participants will visit the Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum to learn about Japanese technology related to how Fukushima can recover after a nuclear disaster. The exchange program is scheduled to end on September 24, 2022.
