Tomsk State University is the only Russian university participating in the Indonesian International Student Mobility Award (IISMA) scholarship in the professional track. IISMA is a scholarship scheme by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP). Indonesian students can apply for this scholarship and study at one of the foreign partner universities at the expense of the Indonesian budget. Short-term educational programs that meet the requests of Indonesian colleagues will start at TSU from the next academic year.
The IISMA program is focused on two tracks: for bachelor’s students and vocational students. TSU is now the only Russian university participating in the professional track, which provides compulsory practical training and internships. Various top universities from Russia, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Poland, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Australia are participating in this scholarship.
TSU's participation is a result of collaboration between the university and the Greater Tomsk University with Indonesia. Tomsk State University in collaboration with Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) opened its representative office in the fall of 2023, and it is the first representative office of Russian universities in Indonesia.
“It was obvious that TSU and the University of Tomsk are extremely interesting partners, and it was necessary to find some institutional approach for raising awareness about us. Moreover, what could be better than a more personal acquaintance? That's how the proposal to join IISMA was made,” said Artyom Rykun, Vice-Rector for International Affairs. “As always, Dr. Adi Nuryanto, Attaché for Education and Culture of the Indonesian Embassy, provided great support at all stages, from the ministry meeting to the speedy passage of documents in Indonesia, and we express our undying gratitude to him.”
Currently, two new educational programs have been developed at TSU to meet the requirements of the Indonesian Ministry of Education in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry and Digital Media.
“One of the priorities of the Indonesian government is to promote more active employer involvement in the development and implementation of educational programs, including the internships and practical training to improve program quality and meet the requirements of local labor markets. We have developed Hospitality and Tourism Industry and Digital Media programs at the request of the Indonesian Ministry of Education. They are flexible, composed of various disciplines to be implemented by TSU as well as our industrial partners. This is how we are responding to the Ministry's request,” said Svetlana Rybushkina, head of TSU International Division.
Applications for the first intake have been available since the end of January and will end at the end of the spring semester. After that, students will start their courses from the beginning of the new academic year.
“The program start dates are set by the host university. The same goes for the number of students we are ready to accept. We decided that it should be from 15 to 150 students. When we had meetings with the Indonesian Ministry of Education, we were informed that they are ready to send 40 to 60 students next academic year,” Svetlana Rybushkina added.
In addition, the parties are now discussing the opening of TSU branch in Indonesia and, perhaps, a representative office of the Tomsk Consortium of Scientific, Educational and Scientific Organizations.
For reference: The IISMA program is available to Indonesian bachelor and vocational students from the fourth to the seventh semester. Students can spend one semester (4-6 months) at the host partner.