Empowering Dreams
IAEI UK's Scholarship Mentoring Programme - 2023

In line with its unwavering commitment to nurturing future Indonesian Islamic Economist human resources as the organisation's vision, IAEI UK has proudly initiated the ‘Studying in the UK Scholarship Mentoring Program’. This integral initiative is a pivotal component of IAEI UK's broader mission to prepare individuals in the field of Islamic economics and finance with global competitive advantage.

This program is targeted to Indonesians from rural and lesser-known universities in Indonesia, where access to dedicated mentorship can be scarce. As such, it was formulated without any fees, encompassing a broad range of topics to ensure inclusivity for all participants, starting from the basics. The topic of mentorship covers tips and tricks on IELTS preparation, getting to know study and life in the UK, finding the perfect match campus and major, application essay for university and scholarship, PhD proposal guidance, and scholarship interview tips.  By providing comprehensive mentoring, the program aims to bridge skill gaps and empower participants to contribute meaningfully in the future to the Islamic Economics world.

IAEI UK, in collaboration with some external mentors from some universities across the UK, these programs involve 20 mentors who are taking master's and PhD in the UK with diverse scholarship funding.  This program was successfully reached out to approximately 400 participants registered. The two-day kick-off event was surprisedly attended by 417 participants with a consistent attendance of around 300 individuals throughout the Zoom meeting till end. Furthermore, it was followed by the screening process to choose the  mentees for the 3-month intensive mentoring program, and through a careful selection based on the mentor availability, 95 mentees were selected to be mentored by 20 mentors, with each group consisting of 4 to 7 mentees.

The event received positive feedback, evident through participants recommending the program to their colleagues. Some who successfully obtained scholarships through the program expressed a desire to contribute to IAEI UK and join in forwarding this initiative. This positive response encourages IAEI UK to consistently organize similar programs in the future.

IAEI UK's Scholarship Mentoring Program stands as a testament to the organization's holistic approach to preparing qualified Indonesian human resources. By investing in the potential of aspiring individuals, IAEI UK paves the way for a brighter future in the dynamic fields of Islamic economics and finance.

Insha Allah this mentoring will be IAEI-UK's annual programme. For those who are looking forward to pursuing their higher degrees in the UK and have a vision of developing the ummah, we are very welcome to receive your application for our mentoring programme next year.  

Contributor: Kemala Putri Ayunda