UNAIR NEWS The Student Executive Board (BEM) of (UNAIR), through its Ministry of Student Advocacy and Welfare (Adkesma), once again held the Scholarship Seminar and Expo (SEMPOA) 2025. The annual program, designed to provide students with detailed guidance on scholarship opportunities, took place on Sunday (16/11/2025) at Ternate Hall in the Airlangga Shari檃 and Entrepreneurship Education Center (ASEEC) Tower, UNAIR Dharmawangsa-B Campus.
One of the featured speakers was Genada Asaika, S.Hum., an alumna of UNAIR檚 English Language and Literature program with an extensive record of national and international accomplishments. During her session, she shared insights and practical strategies for securing scholarships abroad.
Asaika emphasized that assembling a strong portfolio is one of the most critical components in the scholarship selection process. She explained that after facing multiple rejections from government-sponsored programs, she turned to academic competitions to strengthen her credentials.
淎fter being rejected from all the government scholarship programs, I applied for international opportunities, specifically the Van Deventer-Maas Indonesia (VDMI) scholarship, and thankfully, I was accepted. This wasn檛 just the result of trying repeatedly; it was because I had spent a semester building my portfolio through competitions and academic projects, she said.
Key considerations
Asaika also highlighted several important factors for students to consider before applying. She encouraged prospective applicants to research a scholarship檚 vision and mission, noting that each program carries distinct goals and expectations.
淪ome scholarships prioritize projects with community impact. Others focus more on academics, where you檙e not required to contribute to a community initiative but must maintain high grades. It檚 important to align your personal goals with the program檚 mission, she explained.
She also noted that scholarship recipients are expected to contribute positively to their surroundings. Asaika demonstrated this commitment by founding SAFE Indonesia, an organization that focuses on education and environmental issues, specifically targeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 13. The initiative serves as her way of giving back to the institutions in the United States and Italy that supported her studies.
淵ou have to remember that receiving a scholarship is not the end, it檚 the start of something new. Being awarded a scholarship is just the first step toward making an impact, she said.
Asaika urged applicants to remain honest and authentic, emphasizing that falsifying information could result in losing scholarship privileges or even facing legal consequences.
Responsibilities of scholarship recipients
Asaika noted that once students receive a scholarship, their responsibilities become much greater. Scholarship holders represent not only themselves but also their communities, institutions, universities, and even their nation. With that in mind, she stressed the importance of maintaining conduct that does not harm the reputation of any group they represent.
淣ever damage the image that others have worked hard to build. For example, people may have built a strong reputation for Indonesia, and a single careless action can undermine that branding, she said.
She encouraged students to seek out supportive communities that can help foster personal development and facilitate meaningful contributions. 淐ontinue to grow. Whatever you pursue, whether it brings challenges or joy, commit to completing it, she concluded.
Author: Selly Imeldha
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
