Singaraja- Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) has been allocated a Bank Indonesia scholarship for 2023. Interview selection for applicant students occurred on March 1 and 2, 2023. This selection was attended by 90 students consisting of various study programs.
The Bali Province Representative Office of Bank Indonesia conducted the selection directly, centred at the Undiksha Faculty of Economics. Unlike the previous year, the selection was conducted online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which had not yet slowed down. From this selection, 50 students will be selected as scholarship recipients.
Students’ participation in getting this scholarship is not only to get tuition assistance. More than that, it is also based on motivation to gain organizational experience and participate in other skill development programs. One of the students, Kartika Nikova, said that the BI scholarship opens up opportunities to meet other great students, both from Undiksha and other universities. “That’s something extraordinary for me so I really hope for this scholarship,” she said.
Facing this selection, she claimed to have made the best preparation. She hopes to be selected later as one of the New Generation of Indonesia (GenBI). “Today the learning interview is more about finding out what Bank Indonesia is and what policies are there and the authority at Bank Indonesia. Hopefully, I can be more natural and prepared for the interview,” said the student participating in the selection for the first time.
A student, Komang Agus Ariyana, also conveyed a similar impression. He, who had received a scholarship in 2022, admitted being pleased to be part of GenBI. Various exciting experiences have been gained through various activities, including UMKM activities, PKB, G20, community service, etc. In addition, he also participated in soft skill development activities. He hopes he can again become a BI scholarship recipient in this second selection. According to him, this scholarship is beneficial for his education.
Undiksha’s Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Public Relations, and Alumni, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Suastra, M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for Bank Indonesia’s concern for allocating scholarships for underprivileged and deserving students. “We thank BI for giving attention almost every year,” he said.
Through this scholarship, recipient students are expected to show their performance, both in the academic field and in other abilities. “If their performance is not good, they can only get one year and not continue,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Financial Economic Policy Implementation Team of Bank Indonesia Representative Office of Bali Province, Beny Okta T., explained that this scholarship program is one of Bank Indonesia’s social programs, especially in developing superior human resources. Specifically in Bali, it collaborates with four universities to distribute scholarships, one of which is Undiksha. This college in the North Bali stretch gets an allocation of 50 people.
He explained that this scholarship would provide students with Rp 1 million monthly educational assistance for one full year. It is said that what is interesting about the BI scholarship program is not only in terms of funding, but students will be upgraded in soft and hard skills. “So later after these friends are accepted, they will join the Generasi Baru Indonesia (GenBI) community. There they will be given skills, invited to do activities. So they will be given a work program every year and will be competed annually with all GenBI in Indonesia,” he explained.
Undiksha students’ enthusiasm to participate in this selection is considered relatively high. This enthusiasm was given appreciation and welcomed with pride. (hms)