How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Padua, Italy Through the Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship

My name is Aruzhan Kaisar, and I’m from Astana, Kazakhstan. A few days ago, I graduated with my MSc in Biotechnologies for Food Science at the University of Padua in Italy. Before that, I graduated from Nagoya University in Japan with a BSc in Agricultural Sciences. My interest in food science started in high school when, under my teacher's guidance, I designed and maintained an aquaponic system that facilitated tomato seedlings’ growth through the mutualistic relationship between fish and plants. The technology fascinated me through its efficiency at integrating fish and plants into a sustainable food production system. That early exposure to an innovative method motivated me to build a strong foundation in the natural sciences, which ultimately led me to Nagoya University. My previous interest in the food production field prompted me to join the nutritional biochemistry laboratory, where I researched the effects of branched-chain amino acids on metabolism. After graduating, I wanted to continue deepening my knowledge of food science and nutrition with a program that would let me apply molecular biology lab skills specifically to food safety and production, which is what drew me to the University of Padua's Biotechnologies for Food Science program.

Invest Your Talent in Italy Details

I received the Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) scholarship, which is a national program run in partnership by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the ICE Agency, and Uni-Italia. The scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in master's programs at participating Italian universities, among which was the University of Padua. The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides an additional €9,000 per academic year, and this year the amount was increased by €1,800. The IYT scholarship also requires completion of a mandatory 3-month internship at an Italian company before graduation in order to receive the last quarterly installment.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

During my undergraduate applications, I was selected as a recipient of the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award valued at CAD 20,000 from the University of British Columbia. It is a merit-based entrance scholarship given in recognition of exceptional academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. In addition, I was awarded a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, a prestigious Hungarian Government scholarship that provides full tuition, a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700, accommodation (either a free dormitory spot or HUF 40,000/month), and health insurance to high-achieving international students. Ultimately, I chose Nagoya University, which awarded me the Global 30 (G30) Undergraduate Scholarship. This four-year merit scholarship covered tuition fees and provided an annual stipend of JPY 500,000. I was additionally awarded a JASSO Scholarship (Japan Student Services Organization), which provided a monthly stipend of JPY 48,000 for six months to support international students.

As for my Master’s application period, I was shortlisted for an interview for the MAECI scholarship (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), which offers 9,000 euros per academic year plus full tuition and medical insurance. However, I declined the interview invitation as I had already accepted the IYT scholarship.

Educational Background

I completed my BSc in Agricultural Sciences at Nagoya University, Japan, in 2023. My GPA was 3.85/4.30. Although my coursework focused on biological sciences, the program was offered through the School of Agricultural Sciences, so my degree was officially awarded as a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences. My laboratory training in molecular biology and analytical chemistry (PCR, Western blot, SDS-PAGE, GC/MS) gave me a strong technical foundation, which facilitated the smooth transition into food safety and biotechnology. I was awarded an MSc in Biotechnologies for Food Science from the University of Padua, Italy, graduating with honors, 110/110 cum laude.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Padua?

How Did You Find Information About Invest Your Talent in Italy and the University of Padua?

I searched for scholarship opportunities in Europe as I wanted to experience a different study and research environment. I actively browsed websites listing funding for international students and watched vlogs from previous awardees. After exploring several options, I came across the IYT program and felt I’d be a strong candidate for it. As for the university, it was recommended by a friend of mine who studied there. The University of Padua offered a variety of courses taught in English, and among them, I was drawn to the Biotechnologies for Food Science program for its wide range of disciplines and the option to choose between two study paths, which together gave me a versatile skill set applicable to many future careers. Later, I noticed that the course of my interest at UniPD was listed on the IYT scholarship website, which further solidified my resolve to apply.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

There were no additional standardized test requirements beyond IELTS for English-taught programs. I already held a valid IELTS certificate at the time, as I had taken the test in advance while planning my Master's application, so I was able to use that certificate directly.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Invest Your Talent in Italy?

While preparing my application for the scholarship, I aimed to build a narrative with a logical flow explaining the reason behind my every experience. I wanted to portray my goals and intentions clearly through my story and show how this scholarship would support me in my endeavors. I made sure my application clearly connected my early curiosity about food science to my training in molecular biology and nutritional biochemistry in Japan and explained why the University of Padua was the right place to pursue my long-term goals.

I also highlighted experiences working in interdisciplinary biotechnology courses, participating in a university tutoring program, contributing to student organizations, and organizing campus events to demonstrate adaptability, communication, and leadership skills. I believe these qualities were just as important as academic results for a program with such an international cohort.

One specific requirement of the IYT application was recording a short video, under one minute, covering three points: your motivations to study in Italy, the professional goals you hope to achieve through the program, and how you would benefit from and contribute to an internship at an Italian company. I watched application videos on YouTube posted by previous candidates to identify what made successful applicants stand out and used those ideas to improve my own video.

How is Your Experience at the University of Padua?

I've really enjoyed studying at UniPD. Although the classes were larger than I was used to, the course made extensive use of group work and discussions, which exposed me to a wider range of perspectives and gave me plenty of opportunities to apply what we learned in class. The laboratory sessions closely complemented the lectures, which made the material much easier to understand and remember. After starting my internship at Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), I realized just how directly applicable the knowledge and skills from UniPD were to lab work at the institution.

How Do You Rate the University of Padua Academically?

I'd rate it very positively because the program successfully combined theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory experience. I also appreciated the collaborative learning environment, which I found very engaging.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Italian?

My classes at UniPD were taught in English, and I had no problems communicating at all. This was actually quite different from my Bachelor's, where communication was more of a challenge in my final year after I joined a research laboratory. Outside of my thesis supervisor, most of my labmates weren’t comfortable communicating in English, which made things a bit more challenging for me.

What Did You Pursue After the Invest Your Talent in Italy?

The internship I completed was actually a requirement of the IYT scholarship itself, and I successfully fulfilled that obligation through my time at IZSVe. It also gave me a firsthand look at work ethic and professional culture in Italy. Finding an internship, however, was a hurdle I overcame thanks to the support of my classmates and course coordinator. I'd suggest talking to your professors and not hesitating to ask for advice if you find yourself in a similar position.

I recently received an offer for the EFSA traineeship program, which I'll begin in November. I feel that the combination of my degree and internship experience prepared me well for this opportunity, and none of it would have been possible without the financial support I received through the IYT scholarship.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Italian?

Generally, no. Padua, as a city, was historically built around its university, which makes it very friendly and accommodating for international students, so I didn't encounter many difficulties. Still, I'd recommend learning some basic Italian, as it makes procedures involving paperwork and documents after arrival much easier.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

In the application, I supported my passion for food science with concrete achievements, including previous merit scholarships, laboratory research experience, and leadership and communication skills built through extracurricular activities. I also explained specifically why UniPD’s program structure matched what I wanted instead of writing generically about wanting to study abroad.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I were going through the process again, I would plan ahead of time. Because I waited for a university offer before applying for the scholarship, I ended up with less time to prepare my application than I would have liked. I would also try to learn even more about the program of interest early on to enrich my CV with activities, supporting my application. That way, I could be even more confident and clear about why I was the right candidate for that course and how IYT could support my aspirations.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I would suggest making your story specific and consistent. You should connect your interest in the field with what you've actually done since, and explain why this program fits your goals. I'd also suggest reaching out to people who've gone through the process before and asking for advice, if they're willing to share it. Above all, take the time to figure out exactly what you want to do and be specific about your interests and how you plan to pursue them.