The JICA Project for AUN/SEED-Net led by Prof. Kasem Choocharukul, Assistant Executive Director, and Prof. Ir. Rochmadi, Vice-Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, faculty of engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted the first online monitoring meeting for UGM ongoing scholars during the Japanese Fiscal Year 2020, on November 11, 2020.
The purpose of the meeting was to review the scholars’ performance, update the scholarship rules and financial regulations, and inform students of the opportunities with AUN/SEED-Net following graduation.
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is one of the best technological/engineering institutions in the ASEAN region, operating for more than ten years as AUN/SEED-Net’s Host Institution (HI) in five engineering fields: Computer and Information Engineering (CIE), Chemical Engineering (ChE), Geological and Geo-Resource Engineering (GeoE), Materials Engineering (MatE), and Natural Disaster (ND).
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the academic monitoring visit to UGM has been shifted to a virtual meeting to ensure the well-being and academic progress of AUN/SEED-Net scholars. There are six ongoing PhD scholars from three ASEAN member institutions under the Graduate Degree Program from the National University of Laos (NUOL), University of Yangon, and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). They are studying Computer and Information Engineering, Geological and Geo-Resource Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Natural Disasters.
The online monitoring meeting delivered several fruitful outcomes. The UGM scholars updated their study progress and shared details of the living environment during the novel coronavirus. Since July 2020, UGM and AUN/SEED-Net have been supporting two Cambodian and two Lao students returning to their home countries. Close communication and proper support among the parties concerned: students, supervisors, Office of International Affairs, embassies, and AUN/SEED-Net are considered to be the key to mitigating the impact of this challenging situation.
The JICA Project for AUN/SEED-Net is willing to support all ongoing scholars to ensure they can continue their academic activities during this difficult time. Furthermore, special assistance has been provided to those in need, such as monthly allowance support, scholarship extension, home leave, and additional funds for purchasing literature.
AUN/SEED-Net is delighted to support and nourish all scholars toward their further achievements under the motto “Plant the SEED of Future, Grow ASEAN-Japan for Sustainability.”