Perkongsian Pengalaman Temuduga Penajaan JPA Program Khas Jepun, Korea, Perancis dan Jerman Edisi 2017
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Assalamua'laikum and good day to everyone.
On this very first entry of mine, I would like to share my experience on the interview for JPA scholarship 2017. First of all, I would like to thank my English teacher, Madam Nadia who encouraged me to do this entry. "Sharing dapat pahala," she said. Alright, madam.
Alright, moving on to our main topic. Let us focus on the first part of the process, shall we?
1st Part: Online Application Process
JPA scholarship will usually be available to apply (as in the system open) a week after SPM result. You really need to be alert with it. Just follow scholarship info source on social media like facebook and twitter. From my personal experience, they are very helpful.
Before you apply, you really need to read on the minimum requirements and the courses offered. For this year, it was 8As (A+/A) for engineering/technical course including Bahasa Melayu, English, Pendidikan Islam, Sejarah, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. As for social science courses, it only requires 7As (A+/A) including Bahasa Melayu, English, Pendidikan Islam, Sejarah, Mathematics and any other 2 subjects you took. Be updated with the latest minimum requirements.
A piece of advice, if you do not meet the minimum requirements, please do not apply. It is because the system will check your requirements and automatically reject your application. In this case, you might get your heart broken worse than love made you before.
My result did not qualify me for engineering courses hence I applied for social sciences instead. It is only available at France and usually two specific courses are offered: Political Science or Business Management. If you just want to study overseas only, do not bother to apply. This is a long process of studying what you're not interested in. Do not put your life at stake just because you want to study overseas.
When filling out the application form online, they usually need details about family, parent's salary and whatnot. The usual stuff. After filling out everything, just submit it.
The application will be closed after a week usually. Around this time, please be alert with the date that whether your application has successful and are required to go through Student Assessment Centre (SAC) or failed.
2nd Part: Preparation for SAC
I strongly believe that preparation is the key to success.
When your application is successful, you will need to print out surat panggilan, borang pengesahan pendapatan bulanan and attire for SAC. You will know where you need to be for SAC and what session. As for me, I was required to go to Bangunan Institusi Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN), Samarahan and my session was at 8.00 A.M.. I will explain further in the third part.
The first thing I do when I knew my application was received was that I prepared the necessary documents. It will be stated in the surat panggilan. Put every document required in a clear file holder. There will be original and photocopies too.
Next, I surfed the internet to read up on past year interviews particularly JPA and JPA-MARA because both conduct similar modules/routines. I believe that I need to know what am I going to face on the big day. Just type in temuduga jpa jepun, korea, perancis dan jerman and voilà! There are so many people sharing it. I recommend to read on the last five years because the tendency of the interview routine to change is high. I also contacted JPA scholars at France under the same course to ask for tips. They are very kind and helpful. If you have any senior who went through the same interview and succeed, please do contact them and ask for some tips. That was what I do too.
At the same time, please do read and be updated with latest issues, be it local or global. I highly suggest issues about leadership and economy. Be updated with what our government is doing right now. Like around this time, TN50 is the talk of people. It is because JPA is a part of the government. They would like to know your opinions. Read, read and read. When you read, try to think of your opinion too. What do you think of TN50? How about Vision 2020?
Oh, another thing. During this preparation, I was having problem with my confidence to speak out (although I always speak in front of public at school) but more than 5 months of holiday did freak me out. I was afraid if I could not think ideas properly during SAC. One of my solution was to refer teachers. I referred to Madam Nadia and Cikgu Sabtuyah, my Bahasa Melayu teacher. I asked them for tips on this. They really emphasise on preparation and other things I have mentioned above. I also discussed with my friends about current issues. This will help me to improve my thinking skills in a short time. It would help to practice speaking in front of a mirror if you really have a serious problem to talk with confident.
Last but not least, please prepare your attire a few days before SAC. Just hang it anywhere visible. Black long sleeve shirt, tracksuit, sport shoes, black tudung for muslimah. It is very important to do this reasonably early. Plan your trip carefully.
I want to add one more thing. This is if you get lucky enough. My session was on the second day of SAC and I have a friend whose session was a day before. I asked him about what it was like, the questions, the environment and tips. This is very crucial because it would let you know the latest routine. So, if you happen to be in the same situation, please optimise it.
3rd Part: Before SAC
I lived 30km away from INTAN where SAC was held and my session was the first one. I needed to depart by 6A.M. in the morning. A few days before, I also learned to take a shortcut because apparently traffic congestion happens along the common route in the morning. For this, I would like to thank Zackry and Piye for introducing the shortcut.
So, I encountered my first problem here. No, I meant before departing. Apparently, my sport shoes went missing at the eleventh hour and I was searching around the house frantically, panicking. It was my mistake not to check it the night before. So, please do check your attire the night before. I just grabbed any sport shoes that fit mine and started to drive. The shoes are still missing until now.
On my way there, I dropped by KFC to buy breakfast and had it later at INTAN in the car. I want to stress the importance of breakfast here because it really improves your mood and gives you energy during the interview.
I arrived around 7 and there was a few candidates already there, with their parents. Before SAC begin, I advise to mingle around with them. You get to be less nervous and more comfortable. Who knew they would be your group mate during the interview? There was very few Malay as it also available for non-Bumiputera.
I made new friends, an Indian girl, Ash from St. Mary and another girl from Mukah. I'm sorry I could not remember her name. There are a lot of guys too.
4th Part: SAC
One of the SAC committee brought us to one of the conference room for briefing session. Apparently, SAC committees here like to keep it simple. We were asked to take out our documents and arrange it according to what inside the surat panggilan. They would take it and clip it for document checklist. As we were the most candidates present in a session, we were divided into two big groups and divided further into two. Why does this remind me of cell division in Biology? Everyone was given number tags because that would be our identity during the SAC.
After that, the same SAC committee told us the routine. There will be two modules. First was the interview module. The subgroup would be in the interview room while another one would be waiting outside. In this module, the interviewers would ask a question and anyone would volunteer to answer so it's like first come first serve basis. I usually answered after a few candidates because I took time to think properly. To be honest, I was really nervous. Let me give you the questions.
On this very first entry of mine, I would like to share my experience on the interview for JPA scholarship 2017. First of all, I would like to thank my English teacher, Madam Nadia who encouraged me to do this entry. "Sharing dapat pahala," she said. Alright, madam.
Alright, moving on to our main topic. Let us focus on the first part of the process, shall we?
1st Part: Online Application Process
JPA scholarship will usually be available to apply (as in the system open) a week after SPM result. You really need to be alert with it. Just follow scholarship info source on social media like facebook and twitter. From my personal experience, they are very helpful.
Before you apply, you really need to read on the minimum requirements and the courses offered. For this year, it was 8As (A+/A) for engineering/technical course including Bahasa Melayu, English, Pendidikan Islam, Sejarah, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. As for social science courses, it only requires 7As (A+/A) including Bahasa Melayu, English, Pendidikan Islam, Sejarah, Mathematics and any other 2 subjects you took. Be updated with the latest minimum requirements.
A piece of advice, if you do not meet the minimum requirements, please do not apply. It is because the system will check your requirements and automatically reject your application. In this case, you might get your heart broken worse than love made you before.
My result did not qualify me for engineering courses hence I applied for social sciences instead. It is only available at France and usually two specific courses are offered: Political Science or Business Management. If you just want to study overseas only, do not bother to apply. This is a long process of studying what you're not interested in. Do not put your life at stake just because you want to study overseas.
When filling out the application form online, they usually need details about family, parent's salary and whatnot. The usual stuff. After filling out everything, just submit it.
The application will be closed after a week usually. Around this time, please be alert with the date that whether your application has successful and are required to go through Student Assessment Centre (SAC) or failed.
2nd Part: Preparation for SAC
I strongly believe that preparation is the key to success.
When your application is successful, you will need to print out surat panggilan, borang pengesahan pendapatan bulanan and attire for SAC. You will know where you need to be for SAC and what session. As for me, I was required to go to Bangunan Institusi Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN), Samarahan and my session was at 8.00 A.M.. I will explain further in the third part.
The first thing I do when I knew my application was received was that I prepared the necessary documents. It will be stated in the surat panggilan. Put every document required in a clear file holder. There will be original and photocopies too.
Next, I surfed the internet to read up on past year interviews particularly JPA and JPA-MARA because both conduct similar modules/routines. I believe that I need to know what am I going to face on the big day. Just type in temuduga jpa jepun, korea, perancis dan jerman and voilà! There are so many people sharing it. I recommend to read on the last five years because the tendency of the interview routine to change is high. I also contacted JPA scholars at France under the same course to ask for tips. They are very kind and helpful. If you have any senior who went through the same interview and succeed, please do contact them and ask for some tips. That was what I do too.
At the same time, please do read and be updated with latest issues, be it local or global. I highly suggest issues about leadership and economy. Be updated with what our government is doing right now. Like around this time, TN50 is the talk of people. It is because JPA is a part of the government. They would like to know your opinions. Read, read and read. When you read, try to think of your opinion too. What do you think of TN50? How about Vision 2020?
Oh, another thing. During this preparation, I was having problem with my confidence to speak out (although I always speak in front of public at school) but more than 5 months of holiday did freak me out. I was afraid if I could not think ideas properly during SAC. One of my solution was to refer teachers. I referred to Madam Nadia and Cikgu Sabtuyah, my Bahasa Melayu teacher. I asked them for tips on this. They really emphasise on preparation and other things I have mentioned above. I also discussed with my friends about current issues. This will help me to improve my thinking skills in a short time. It would help to practice speaking in front of a mirror if you really have a serious problem to talk with confident.
Last but not least, please prepare your attire a few days before SAC. Just hang it anywhere visible. Black long sleeve shirt, tracksuit, sport shoes, black tudung for muslimah. It is very important to do this reasonably early. Plan your trip carefully.
I want to add one more thing. This is if you get lucky enough. My session was on the second day of SAC and I have a friend whose session was a day before. I asked him about what it was like, the questions, the environment and tips. This is very crucial because it would let you know the latest routine. So, if you happen to be in the same situation, please optimise it.
3rd Part: Before SAC
I lived 30km away from INTAN where SAC was held and my session was the first one. I needed to depart by 6A.M. in the morning. A few days before, I also learned to take a shortcut because apparently traffic congestion happens along the common route in the morning. For this, I would like to thank Zackry and Piye for introducing the shortcut.
So, I encountered my first problem here. No, I meant before departing. Apparently, my sport shoes went missing at the eleventh hour and I was searching around the house frantically, panicking. It was my mistake not to check it the night before. So, please do check your attire the night before. I just grabbed any sport shoes that fit mine and started to drive. The shoes are still missing until now.
On my way there, I dropped by KFC to buy breakfast and had it later at INTAN in the car. I want to stress the importance of breakfast here because it really improves your mood and gives you energy during the interview.
I arrived around 7 and there was a few candidates already there, with their parents. Before SAC begin, I advise to mingle around with them. You get to be less nervous and more comfortable. Who knew they would be your group mate during the interview? There was very few Malay as it also available for non-Bumiputera.
I made new friends, an Indian girl, Ash from St. Mary and another girl from Mukah. I'm sorry I could not remember her name. There are a lot of guys too.
4th Part: SAC
One of the SAC committee brought us to one of the conference room for briefing session. Apparently, SAC committees here like to keep it simple. We were asked to take out our documents and arrange it according to what inside the surat panggilan. They would take it and clip it for document checklist. As we were the most candidates present in a session, we were divided into two big groups and divided further into two. Why does this remind me of cell division in Biology? Everyone was given number tags because that would be our identity during the SAC.
After that, the same SAC committee told us the routine. There will be two modules. First was the interview module. The subgroup would be in the interview room while another one would be waiting outside. In this module, the interviewers would ask a question and anyone would volunteer to answer so it's like first come first serve basis. I usually answered after a few candidates because I took time to think properly. To be honest, I was really nervous. Let me give you the questions.
- Introduce yourself and tell what course did you apply.
Good morning. My name is (full name) and I applied for (course applied) at (country applied).
#They really like to keep it simple, seriously. I don't know about other places SAC were held. Okay, start with a greeting. State what course specifically. If you applied engineering, what? Mechanical, civil, electrical etc.
- How do you become interested in the field?
#I cannot tell you my answer. There is too much exaggeration hahahaha. I recommend to relate it with your personal life/experience. You can elaborate easily and will show honesty and passion in front of the jury.
- Can you tell us about Vision 2020?
#I learned this at school in Pendidikan Sivik dan Kewarganegaraan and History. I study for life. Basically, I tell what was in the textbook.
- What do you think of TN50?
#This is why you really need to get updated. To my surprise, a few people I know do not know about this. Start with what TN50 is about and tell your opinion about it.
- Recently, terrorism happened at Southeast Asia. ............?
#To be honest, I did not hear the question properly so I waited for others' candidate answer but I still cannot get the question. What I did was manipulate the question but still in scope. I talked about how to prevent terrorism in Malaysia. My points were through education and patriotism. This is how it leads to the next question.
- How do we instil patriotism?
#Basically, I said what I always write in essay. I explain parents' role here. Read a lot!
My tips on this module is to read. I cannot stress more. At the same time, if you want to attract the interviewer's attention, think different. Think out of the box. Do not copy others' idea unless you want to add up or elaborate further. They would know that you are different from others. My mistake during this module was repeating the same sentence because I was looking for another idea. Please do not do this hahaha. Do not overdo it. You can imagine how terribly I was nervous there.
My friend's question was technically the same but he got a killer question. It was about Blue Ocean Strategy. I bet a little of you do not know about this because I don't. Google it! I googled straight away after he told about it and truthfully, I did not understand anything about it.
Let's move on to the next module: case study. What came into my mind was like analysing a case/situation. Luckily, it was just a presentation. I am thankful that I was in a boarding school where presentation is a common thing.
Each subgroup will be given a topic: positive and negative. My subgroup's case was Technology Is The Key To Control World Economy. Does it sound difficult to you? I did at first but then I remembered that I read about digital economy the night before. If you do not know what digital economy, please google. The other subgroup got Technology Disrupts Society. I cried silently when I heard it. Exaggeration detected. It was a piece of cake. However, we were given 15 minutes for discussion and brainstorming so that we could be ready to present with the aids of mahjong paper and markers. After presentation, each subgroup should ask a question. We got a killer question from another subgroup but thankfully, I managed to answer it.
My tips on this module, yes, read again. Knowledge is power. Do not make up things. The interview might know more and accurate than you. Just say what you know. Explain how you understand. I'm saying it because I told about how most Malaysians business get their supplies from USA because of the technology but the interviewer corrected me and said it was actually from China. I could verify that because I already read about that but yet I forgot. My bad.
After going through both modules, we gathered at the briefing room to collect our documents back and were allowed to go back home.
5th Part: After SAC
I strongly believe that a reflection is a must do. I did a reflection on SAC, my strengths and my weaknesses. I could improve myself for upcoming interviews. It's also good to share this experience with your friends and juniors or do it online like me! Sharing is caring.
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At the end of the day, I hope that this entry offers much help as possible in your preparation for any interview particularly JPA. Currently, I am still waiting for the results but what happens is the best for me. If you have an interview soon, I wish you all the best. Fighting!
Wallahua'lam.
P/S: If you notice, the title is in Malay but the content is in English. Don't ask me why. I ask myself too.
[Update: 26/4/2017]
Not surprisingly, I did not get the offer. This programme is tough so no worries. More good things are bound to come as long as I do not give up. To all who got it, congratulations! Spend wisely hehe.
However, to those who fail, we can write an appeal online at the website where you check your application results. You need to write a 300 word justification of why you deserve it. So, I wrote mine.
It was in Bahasa Melayu because you are applying for government's scholarship so yeah. There was an introduction - my name and what course I applied. Then, I put in the reasons why I deserve it and how the course I applied is important in developing Malaysia. What can I contribute if I were selected? Et cetera. It would be a bonus if you add about your socioeconomic background because that is an important criterion of a candidate that probably JPA looks at.
Pray for me.
[Update: 9/5/2017]
Alhamdulillah my appeal was accepted and I was offered to do a Pre-France Foundation programme at UniKL MFI, Bangi for 22 months. But I would be registering in early July so 2 more months to enjoy my time at Kuching.
In the mean time, I am preparing documents (like there's so many that I need to print out 100+ pages *le cries) and do whatever necessary eg. open up a bank account and do medical check up. I also contact seniors who are in the same course to get an overview of my foundation programme so that I can adapt well. Mindset is crucial in surviving for overseas programme.
The link below is an entry blog by a senior that I always refer to:
Pre-France Foundation Programme (Science Politic & Business Management)
I will write another entry of my soon-to-be life at MFI any time in these 2 years.
[Update: 8/7/2017]
Apparently, there's a plot twist - technical problems between JPA and MFI so I was offered to do engineering and I accepted it. It's still under the same program, anyway.
[Update: 26/4/2017]
Not surprisingly, I did not get the offer. This programme is tough so no worries. More good things are bound to come as long as I do not give up. To all who got it, congratulations! Spend wisely hehe.
However, to those who fail, we can write an appeal online at the website where you check your application results. You need to write a 300 word justification of why you deserve it. So, I wrote mine.
It was in Bahasa Melayu because you are applying for government's scholarship so yeah. There was an introduction - my name and what course I applied. Then, I put in the reasons why I deserve it and how the course I applied is important in developing Malaysia. What can I contribute if I were selected? Et cetera. It would be a bonus if you add about your socioeconomic background because that is an important criterion of a candidate that probably JPA looks at.
Pray for me.
[Update: 9/5/2017]
Alhamdulillah my appeal was accepted and I was offered to do a Pre-France Foundation programme at UniKL MFI, Bangi for 22 months. But I would be registering in early July so 2 more months to enjoy my time at Kuching.
In the mean time, I am preparing documents (like there's so many that I need to print out 100+ pages *le cries) and do whatever necessary eg. open up a bank account and do medical check up. I also contact seniors who are in the same course to get an overview of my foundation programme so that I can adapt well. Mindset is crucial in surviving for overseas programme.
The link below is an entry blog by a senior that I always refer to:
Pre-France Foundation Programme (Science Politic & Business Management)
I will write another entry of my soon-to-be life at MFI any time in these 2 years.
[Update: 8/7/2017]
Apparently, there's a plot twist - technical problems between JPA and MFI so I was offered to do engineering and I accepted it. It's still under the same program, anyway.
Haloo kak.. ade email x??
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