On Friday, June 21, 2024, the BioSYNC: Sharing Alumni IISMA 2024 event was successfully held by the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Biology Student Executive Board (BEM) UGM Cabinet Padma Birawa, and was attended by students from the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The objective of this event was to provide information about the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) scholarship program and share experiences of IISMA Alumni.
The event began with an opening and prayer led by Muhammad Haidar Ali and Birrul Qisty Mutmainnah Nazara as the Masters of Ceremony (MC), followed by speeches from the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., and a documentation session. Next, an opening speech on the importance of study exchange delivered by Mutia Asri Khairunnisa. The event proceeded to the main agenda, a talk show session moderated by Firchamy Vuqi Aulia. In this session, three speakers shared their experiences and essential tips in preparing for the IISMA scholarship program: Mutia Asri Khairunisa, IISMA Awardee 2023 at Pennsylvania State University; Raden Rara Lilliane Gemma Amanda, IISMA Awardee 2023 at Sapienza University of Rome; and Felix Luman Shanahan, IISMA Awardee 2024 at the University of Groningen. The final session provided information about the IISMA 2025 by the Head of the Bachelor in Biology Study Program, Faculty of Biology, UGM, Sukirno, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. It hoped this event will inspire students from the Faculty of Biology UGM to pursue overseas studies, including through the IISMA program. [Author: Hafizh Wahyu Sukmawan]