How Shah Hussain, a Pakistani Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s Through the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship

My name is Shah Hussain, and I am from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. I completed my Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of Malakand, graduating in 2021 with distinction, first position, and a Gold Medal. I then served as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Buner, where I taught Organizational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Ethics in Psychology, and Introduction to Psychology. Teaching sparked my interest in how people experience work, and I decided to pursue a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology so that I could study workplace behavior, employee well-being, and retention in a more rigorous, research-driven way.

Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship, the fully funded scholarship of the Government of Indonesia, to pursue my Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Universitas Indonesia. The scholarship covered tuition, monthly living allowance, airfare, health insurance, and research support.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes. In addition to KNB, I was awarded a scholarship by the Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow, Russia. HSE is a well-regarded institution, and receiving this offer was a significant achievement and a validation of my academic profile. I considered both opportunities carefully, weighing the focus of each program, the research opportunities, and my long-term academic and career goals. In the end, I chose the KNB scholarship at Universitas Indonesia because I found Indonesian universities more suitable for the study of social and organizational psychology, whereas HSE placed greater emphasis on the scientific side of psychology. Since my interests lie in the social and workplace dimensions of human behavior, Universitas Indonesia was the better fit. I am sharing this information so that future applicants know HSE also provides scholarship opportunities worth exploring.

Educational Background

I hold a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Universitas Indonesia, which I completed with Cum Laude honors. My undergraduate degree in Psychology is from the University of Malakand, where I ranked first in my class and graduated with distinction, earning a Gold Medal.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Universitas Indonesia?

How Did You Find Information About Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship and Universitas Indonesia?

I first learned about the scholarship through the official Facebook page of the Indonesian Embassy in Pakistan, which announced the application details, eligibility criteria, and deadlines. I later visited the official KNB website for further details, where I reviewed the application process and the list of participating institutions. From there, I studied the requirements carefully and researched the programs to identify the one that best matched my academic interests.

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

Yes, I took the IELTS, which was required at the time of my application. I prepared independently using free online resources, mainly YouTube tutorials, which helped me understand the exam format and practice each section: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship?

My preparation began with a careful review of the scholarship’s eligibility criteria and required documents. I then gathered my academic transcripts, certificates, recommendation letters, and proof of English proficiency, and prepared a study plan that connected my academic background in psychology and my teaching experience to my goal of specializing in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. I also highlighted my academic distinctions, including the Gold Medal and first position in my bachelor’s degree, and I reviewed every document thoroughly before submission to ensure it was complete and accurate.

How Do You Rate Universitas Indonesia Academically?

I rate Universitas Indonesia very highly. It is ranked 191st in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and its Faculty of Psychology is among the strongest in the country. The university also reviews and updates its curriculum every semester to keep it in line with global academic standards, which keeps the coursework relevant and current. During my studies, I also had opportunities to publish research and to contribute to applied projects with government institutions.

How Does Universitas Indonesia Support International Students?

The university provides strong support for international students through its International Office, which offers a structured orientation program at the start of the academic year. Language support is available to help students adapt to the local language, and each international student is assigned a buddy from the student community to help them settle in. The university also organizes trips for international students every year, which encourage community engagement and give students a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Indonesian?

The classes were partly in English, but because the scholarship required students to study in the local language, most of my courses were taught in Bahasa Indonesia.

What Did You Pursue After the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship?

After completing my degree, I am continuing to work on research, building on the studies and publications I developed during my master’s program.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing Indonesian?

Yes. Since most courses are taught in Bahasa Indonesia, students who do not know the language may struggle to follow lectures, take part in discussions, and complete assignments. Knowing the local language also makes daily life easier, because it helps students interact with locals and understand the culture. I would therefore advise prospective students to begin learning Bahasa Indonesia before arriving.

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

Looking back, I would have started learning Bahasa Indonesia before arriving, since most of my courses were taught in the local language and an early start would have made the transition smoother. I would also have prepared for the IELTS in a more structured way, perhaps with a formal course or full mock tests, instead of relying mainly on online videos. Finally, I would have used more sources of information, such as alumni networks and university pages, rather than depending mainly on one channel, to get a fuller picture of the opportunities and requirements. I would not change my decision to choose KNB over the Higher School of Economics offer, as the fully funded scholarship and my experience at Universitas Indonesia served my goals well.