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The MEXT Scholarship is a program organized by the Japanese government for international students who wish to study at Japanese universities. The scholarship offers two admission routes: the embassy recommendation (G to G) and the university recommendation (U to U). Hafidz chose the U to U route because he had just completed his undergraduate studies, while the G to G application period would only open in April the following year.

According to Hafidz, the key to a successful MEXT application lies in early document preparation, especially language certificates such as TOEFL, IELTS, or JLPT. “If possible, obtain your language certificate before graduating from your bachelor’s program. That way, you won’t be rushed when the application period begins,” he explained. He also emphasized the importance of researching potential universities and supervisors early on, particularly those whose research aligns with one’s interests. Once a suitable supervisor is identified, applicants should reach out to them for potential support in the scholarship process. In addition, preparing a specific and well-structured research and study plan, ideally related to the supervisor’s published work, is a significant advantage.

The selection process, Hafidz continued, is quite extensive. After the document screening, applicants typically proceed to an interview or a research plan presentation. He advised students to begin preparing early—such as improving their English or Japanese proficiency—long before their final year. This early preparation, he noted, helped him manage both his undergraduate thesis and scholarship applications without feeling overwhelmed.

At Kobe University, Hafidz joined a research group in biochemical engineering. He shared that his education at the Bioengineering program provided a strong theoretical foundation in areas such as biorefinery systems, fermentation techniques, and biochemistry. However, he faced new challenges at the graduate level, particularly in practical instrument operation. “During undergraduate studies, we didn’t handle instruments like HPLC ourselves, technicians usually did. But here, we’re expected to work independently. Japanese graduates are already used to that, so we have to adapt quickly,” he explained.

In closing, Hafidz encouraged students not to hesitate in preparing for scholarships early. “Seek information from seniors or scholarship communities, prepare your documents ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to try. Opportunities will always favor those who are well-prepared,” he concluded.

Reporter: Azka Zahara Firdausa (Rekayasa Hayati, 2022)