Friday, January 30, 2026 – In an effort to broaden academic access for its scholarly community, Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA), in coordination with the Fulbright program managed by the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF), hosted a hybrid seminar on the dissemination of information and opportunities for doctoral degree scholarships on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Held in the Smart Classroom on the 5th floor of UNDIRA, the hybrid event was attended with great enthusiasm by 51 faculty members from the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics (FTI) and the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences (FBIS).

The seminar was inaugurated by the Director of Cooperation, Public Relations, and Marketing, Mr. Imam Priyono, S.T., M.M., who noted that this collaboration was initiated through the coordination of the Head of the English Literature Study Program, Mr. Todo Faraday Sibuea, S.Pd., M.Hum. On the same occasion, Mr. Priyono emphasized that the doctoral scholarship program with Fulbright-AMINEF is a prestigious milestone and a transformative step for UNDIRA’s academic staff.

Concurrently, Vice-Rector IV, Prof. Asri Nugrahanti, M.S., Ph.D., IPU, ASEAN Eng., remarked that while the pursuit of higher education is inherently challenging, visionary academics must consistently strive forward to unlock their full potential.

"By opening these doctoral education opportunities with AMINEF, it is hoped that we can maximize the benefits provided. This program is expected to drive the quality of human resource development, particularly for our lecturers and the entire UNDIRA community," she stated.

Ms. Miftahul Mardiyah, representing Fulbright-AMINEF, stated that this open scholarship is an embodiment of AMINEF's mission to foster "people-to-people" educational exchange. Since its inception in Indonesia in 1952, the Fulbright program has successfully sent 3,400 Indonesian citizens to the United States.

She further explained that in addition to providing scholarships for Indonesian students and faculty to study in the U.S., American scholars and students are also encouraged to conduct study visits at UNDIRA. Furthermore, Fulbright offers an educational framework that is supportive of those traveling to the U.S. for the first time.

Fulbright provides comprehensive support, including housing, security, and guidance from the IIE (Institute of International Education) team, which offers assistance regarding local customs and social etiquette in the U.S., alongside the J-1 visa required for the program.

Additionally, Fulbright offers flexibility by waiving the requirement for a Letter of Intent (LoI) at the initial stage. Prospective applicants are only required to submit a relevant 10-page writing sample in English.

English language proficiency remains a mandatory requirement for admission, including for applicants specializing in English studies. Candidates may fulfill the requirements by submitting IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test scores.

Ms. Mardiyah also highlighted that Fulbright offers several university alternatives in the U.S. for applicants to choose from upon receiving a Letter of Acceptance (LoA). The U.S. doctoral system does not require a research proposal at the beginning; instead, the curriculum starts with coursework, followed by comprehensive examinations and doctoral candidacy status before students proceed to independent research.

Mr. Todo Sibuea concluded the seminar with a message of optimism. "Today, we move beyond mere discourse. Through this direct engagement with Fulbright and its alumni, I hope our faculty members can broaden their professional horizons. It is my sincere hope that UNDIRA will soon take pride in having its own Fulbright scholars," he remarked.