The Student Affairs Sub-Division and Advokesma of BEM FILKOM held a briefing activity for active students who received scholarships from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) funding sources on Saturday, (18/5/2024). Taking place in the Algorithm Auditorium, G Building, 2nd floor, the event was attended by hundreds of FILKOM students. There are a total of 297 FILKOM students who will receive APBN scholarships in 2024. Consisting of recipients of Affirmation scholarships, Tuition Fee Assistance, Indonesian Education Scholarships, Disability Scholarships, KIP College and KIP Kuliah Merdeka.
The event opened with remarks from Drs. Muh. Arif Rahman, M.Kom. as the Vice Dean III for Student Affairs, Alumni and Student Entrepreneurship at FILKOM. He said the scholarship or assistance for further study at tertiary institutions was because of the government realized that there were students who were good academically when they were in high school but had financial limitations to continue their studies at tertiary institutions. Therefore, intervention from the government is needed in the form of educational assistance and living assistance.
“Those of you who receive assistance from the government should not be unconfident or discouraged. In fact, you need to be grateful because your studies are funded by the state, meaning that you are trusted by the state to be academically capable of completing your studies or study at a university. But of course, there are rights and obligations that follow,” said Arif Rahman.
Drs. Muh. Arif Rahman also delivered material on the Rights and Obligations of APBN scholarship recipients. In his presentation several important points were conveyed including the meaning of scholarships, KIP College and its problems, ethics and what scholarship recipients need to do.
Drs. Muh. Arif Rahman said recipients of government assistance must have good ethics. These ethics include accountability, academic integrity, respect for cultural aspects, social contribution and responsibility to scholarship providers. Accountability here means that scholarship recipients must be able to account for the use of the aid funds they receive for purposes in accordance with the provisions of the type of scholarship or aid received. Academic integrity refers to a commitment to honesty, trust and fairness in all academic aspects such as avoiding plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty. Recipients of scholarships or government assistance are also expected to be able to contribute socially.
“Because you have been assisted by the government, we hope that you can also help the government in creating a better life for the Indonesian people. You can start with small things, such as teaching Qur’an to children in the area where you live,” explained Arif Rahman.
Meanwhile, the second material regarding the norms and ethics of using APBN assistance was delivered by Ilhamuddin, S.Psi., MA., Head of the Sub-directorate of Student Welfare and Entrepreneurship at Universitas Brawijaya. In his presentation, he reminded the participants about the various conditions that recipients of scholarships or government assistance must fulfill. The example taken is that KIP Kuliah recipients are students from families who are included in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) from the Ministry of Social Affairs. Data on the Acceleration of Elimination of Extreme Poverty (PPKE) determined by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture and which is shown by proof of the maximum combined gross income of parents/guardians of IDR. 4 million per month or Rp. 750 thousand per family member.
“Therefore, pardon me. If your friends say you are poor, don’t be hurt. Just answer yes, I’m poor, so what? The important thing is that you show your potential in the academic field and other achievements. Don’t live a hedonistic lifestyle by misusing aid funds that are supposed to support your education,” said Ilhamuddin.
Ilhamuddin said that misused of aid funds by APBN scholarship recipients could have a negative impact on both the scholarship recipients themselves, the institution and future students at that institution. Scholarship recipients may have their scholarship or educational assistance terminated. Meanwhile, institutions can reduce or stop granting scholarship quotas given to students. Meanwhile, students are threatened with not being able to receive scholarships or assistance because the quota from the government is reduced or revoked altogether for the institution concerned.
“So don’t let the actions of one or two irresponsible people cause your younger siblings who really need it to not be able to receive help. If that’s the case, you are wronging them,” said Ilhamuddin.
Ilhamuddin also stated that every semester, an evaluation will be carried out for all recipients of scholarships and APBN assistance. This evaluation aims to review whether recipients of scholarships and APBN assistance are still eligible to continue their assistance or not. The evaluation is reviewed from an academic perspective and also the financial capabilities of the aid recipient.
“So, if in the past, when you were appointed as a scholarship recipient, you had financial difficulties, but now it turns out that your business has developed or you feel financially capable, please submit your resignation as a scholarship recipient,” said Ilhamuddin.
By holding this activity, it is hoped that APBN scholarship recipients will become aware of their rights and obligations. In addition, APBN scholarship recipients are also expected to be able to increase self-awareness regarding moral responsibility in improving academic and non-academic achievements, as well as providing positive benefits for the surrounding community. [dna/OKY/UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
