Events

Report from SAAI President─Participation in the JASSO Study in Japan Fair 2024

Event Overview

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, the Sakura Alumni Association in Indonesia (SAAI) participated in the JASSO Study in Japan Fair 2024, held at the Assembly Hall, Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). The event welcomed approximately 4,100 attendees, including high school and university students, educators, researchers, and practitioners. It provided a platform to share information about studying in Japan, for us, particularly under the Sakura Science Exchange Program (SSP), Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP), and the new Y-TEC (Young Talents Exchange and Capacity Development Program).

SAAI Representation

SAAI Coordinators actively engaged with attendees:

  • ● Abdul Baits Dehana Padma Swastika (President)
  • ● Dewi Caesaria Fitriani, Alvin Vigo Pratama, and Livia Liannasari (Event and Project Coordinators)
  • ● Yusron Fuadi (Alumni Engagement Coordinator)

Key Highlights from the Fair

  1. 1. Engaging youth interest
    Many high school and university students expressed interest in participating in SSP, SSHP, and Y-TEC programs. They sought detailed information on eligibility and pathways for their institutions to join the program.
  2. 2. Addressing parents' concerns
    Parents were particularly interested in understanding the structure of short-term stays in Japan under the programs and their potential impact on their children's academic and professional growth.
  3. 3. Clarifying registration processes
    The institution-based registration system was a common point of inquiry. Many individual students hoped to participate but learned that their institutions needed to register as recipients first. This highlighted the importance of increased outreach and socialization to schools and universities.
  4. 4. Promoting awareness
    The SAAI team emphasized the benefits and opportunities of the Sakura Science Exchange Program, including cultural immersion, capacity building, and networking. By participating in the Edu Fair, visitors gained clarity about the program and its future opportunities for their institutions.

Collaboration with JASSO Representatives

SAAI had the opportunity to meet with JASSO Indonesia representatives, Miss Pravindha Martika Sari during the event. A productive discussion was held about potential future collaborations, including:

  • ● Supporting the organization of future JASSO education fairs.
  • ● Co-hosting opportunities to respond to inquiries and requests from schools, universities, and ministries.
  • ● Developing joint initiatives to improve awareness and streamline access to Sakura programs for Indonesian institutions.

This discussion laid the groundwork for strengthened partnerships between SAAI and JASSO, aligning efforts to promote educational exchange between Indonesia and Japan.

Challenges Identified

  • ● Limited awareness among schools about their eligibility to become recipient institutions under the Sakura Science Exchange or the Sakura Science High School programs.
  • ● The need for more robust socialization to streamline the application process for students and institutions. Outcomes and Recommendations
  • ● Many attendees left with a clear understanding of how to initiate collaboration with Sakura Science Exchange programs through their institutions.
  • ● SAAI recommends continued participation in such fairs to bridge knowledge gaps and provide support for potential registrants.
  • ● JST main contact through email is the point of contact of the information needed by visitors and SAAI Coordinators bridge some of language or other small barriers encountered
  • ● Consider creating concise informational materials and visitation to school or universities for more coverage targeting schools and parents especially for underprivileged institutions in Indonesia.

Post-Event Evaluation and Planning

After the fair, the SAAI Coordinators conducted an internal meeting to evaluate their participation and discuss future strategies. Topics included:

  • ● Review of challenges and successes by evaluating feedback from participants to improve outreach and engagement.
  • ● Preparations for the SAAI Alumni Meeting 2024 to strategize the event scheduled for December 21, 2024, including panelist readiness and agenda finalization.
  • ● Planning for 2025 to outline the upcoming year’s activities to sustain engagement with alumni and expand program awareness.

SAAI extends its gratitude to JASSO Indonesia for the opportunity to participate and for fostering engagement between students and Sakura Science Exchange programs and to JST for supporting logistics and other valuable support needed for the events. We look forward to contributing further to the success of educational initiatives like these.

Prepared by: Abdul Baits Dehana Padma Swastika (SAAI President)

All photos by SAAI