To Boost Global Career Opportunities, the Unhas Faculty of Engineering Holds an Information Session on the Japanese Engineering Scholarship Program
The Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University (Unhas), in collaboration with the Kizuku International Academy Vocational Training Institute (LPK), successfully held an information session on the “Japan Engineering Scholarship Program” for senior students and alumni on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The event, held in Lecture Theater (LT) 2 of the CSA Building, was attended by 125 participants from various study programs, including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science.
The event was officially opened by the Alumni Manager of the Unhas Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ir. Andi Haris Muhammad, ST., MT., Ph.D. In his remarks, Prof. Andi Haris strongly encouraged participants not to miss out on opportunities for internships or careers in Japan. “My experience visiting Japan has shown that the country offers very advanced standards of work and living. The workforce there highly values work ethic and personal development,” Prof. Andi Haris told the participants.
On a separate occasion, the Associate Dean for Partnerships, Research, Innovation, and Alumni Affairs at the University of Hasanuddin’s Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Ir. Rustan Tarakka, ST., MT., IPM., AER., expressed his appreciation for the established collaboration. According to him, this scholarship outreach program is a strategic step toward expanding career opportunities for Unhas engineering graduates on the international stage.
“We fully support initiatives such as those undertaken by LPK Kizuku and Legacy Japan. For us, this is a tangible manifestation of the faculty’s efforts to bridge the gap between alumni and graduating students, providing them with direct access to the global job market—particularly in Japan, which is known for its high standards of technology and discipline,” said Prof. Rustan.
Furthermore, Prof. Rustan emphasized that while the competencies of Hasanuddin University engineering students have been proven, the need for cultural adaptation and language proficiency presents challenges that must be addressed. He hopes this collaboration will not stop at outreach but will foster a sustainable ecosystem.
“My hope is that students and alumni will make the most of these 30 scholarship slots. In addition to gaining work experience, they will also bring back insights and innovations from Japan that will be invaluable for the advancement of industry in our country,” he concluded.
Also present at the event was the Director of LPK Kizuku, Ahmad Syukur Jaya, S.T., along with his team, who outlined the opportunities and application process for this program. Meanwhile, Dendi Pongsimpin, S.T., an alumnus and guest speaker, shared in-depth insights on the challenges and advantages of working in Japan.
According to Dendi, the key requirement for candidates is language proficiency. “Language is an absolute requirement; technical skills and other competencies come second. However, it’s important to emphasize that the work environment in Japan highly values people. Additionally, engineering professionals hold a very special position and are appropriately valued,” explained Dendi.
The scholarship program offered by Legacy Japan provides a limited quota of 30 spots for the top graduates from the Faculty of Engineering at Unhas. The participants’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the presentation and Q&A session, reflecting the high level of interest among engineering graduates in pursuing international careers.
Through this event, it is hoped that senior students and alumni will gain a more concrete vision for planning their futures and be able to compete on the global stage through this engineering scholarship program.