Basically this JPA Program Khas is a scholarship for SPM leavers to venture into the studies of engineering in four different countries as mentioned , Japan , Korea, France and Germany . Applicants who successfully secured the scholarship will have to study the respective foreign languages before doing their degree , in foreign language of course .For further information ,
. For more detailed information about the JPA Program Khas Jepun (Kumpulan Teknikal Jepun ,KTJ) , stay tuned to my blogspot for more updates from me !
Sorry for being long winded , but I'm going to share everything from head to toe .
We were informed to reach there by 8 in the morning , I went to a room/hall following the indicators on the wall . I reached there a few minutes before 8 , went into a room and registered myself . I passed all my documents , original and photocopy to them and waited there .
The interview started at around 8 something because we were waiting for more applicants to show up . There were supposed to be 20 - 30 applicants , but I wasn't too sure about that because I just took a quick glance at the attendance list when I signed it . In the end , there was only 15 in total that turned up for the interview ( for my session ). For your information , the interview at my place lasted for about 5 days , 2 sessions per day . The interview centre at my place was mostly for applicants from Pahang , near to Kuantan to be specific, however , there were a few more centres for the jpa interviews throughout Malaysia , so don't worry of the need to travel too far for the interview !
Part I : Ice - Breaking
The interview started with an ice-breaking session . Some people just thought that it was just an ice-breaking session but nothing more . If you're alert enough like me ( facepalm) , you know the interview had started and you were being observed and judged ! First impression is hella important guys !
Btw , there was a late comer during my session . When asked why he was late , he said he overslept and gosh , my eyes were wide open for 0.5 seconds ( not more than that to avoid letting others know that I'm shocked ,LOL my housemate taught me this by the way ) Respect his honesty but he had just pushed the self -destruct button . =0
We were given a number tag each , hung around our neck throughout the interview . Make sure they can see the number tags ! We were told to stand in groups based on our country of choice ( for the scholarship ) , based on our birthday month and so on . We were also paired up and were told to speak to each other . They would ask us questions about our partner after like 5 minutes . For my interview , they asked our partners name , former school , hobbies , hometown and so on . I got to know from my friends (from other states) they would ask really unexpected questions like their shoe size too ! So yeah, expect the unexpected okay ? I guess they were trying to examine our communication and social skills .
Towards the end of the ice-breaking session , we were also asked our reason(s) for choosing that particular country . My choice was Japan ( It wasn't really my choice tho ) and I couldn't think of any better reasons because I know nothing about Japan LOL ! So i just say their technology amazed me . Some applicants be like , oh ya , germany , france because their country is soooo beauty beauty ! so romantic , this and that . HAHHAHA respect their honesty , and yes , eyes wide open for 0.5 seconds again . They shouldn't say that even though it's true ! oh well ... hahahahhha
Part II : Group Discussion and Presentation in Malay Language
After that , 15 of us were separated into 2 groups and were brought into a room . So , that means there were 2 group discussion and 2 presentations , all in Malay Language .
The group interview focused on questions related to policies implemented by the government, such as the Government Transformation Program (GTP) and Economic Transformation Program (ETP)
There were 2 tables and we sat in groups around the table . We were given a (same) theme with 2 different topics . We were assigned with one topic each and were supposed to discuss about the topic and come up with points for the presentation.
The theme we got was about " Pembangunan Kawasan Luar Bandar di Malaysia " (Rural Development in Malaysia) . My group mates and I were supposed to think of the ways to develop rural areas in Malaysia . So we had a discussion , brainstormed about the points and planned for the presentation . the time allocated for the discussion was like one and a half hour , if I'm not mistaken .The presentation was like less than half an hour . You may think there was a lot of time , but time was a little bit tight for us during the group discussion .
After the discussion , we ( 2 groups) took turns to do our presentation .After every presentation , the interviewers would ask questions . This is the time for you to stand out and shine among the others ! Grab the chance to answer their questions WISELY but not to the level where you took the chance of the other applicants COMPLETELY . Remember , it's not an individual interview, it's a group interview and your attitude towards your group mates was observed too , I believe . Give chance to others while you shine , like a diamond in the sky *possessed by Rihanna for a moment * ( LOL) .
Thank god I could handle it when an interviewer 'fired a canonball ' at me , okay , I might have exaggerated a little . I was suggesting that the government should fix a quota for rural folks to be prioritized in education scholarships , job opportunities and so on . Told them equality doesn't mean justice , to support my point . In fact , I didn't really agree with my point . But , oh well , just carry on . I also made an analogy, told them how different is giving RM20 to a 2-year-old baby and giving it to a 20-year-old adult . The interviewer asked confidently , what if I don't wanna give you this scholarship and give it to a rural student , is it okay ? Hahaha this was completely out of my expectation /.\
There was another question being asked based on one of my group mate's point , which is giving rural students a chance to venture into HIGHLY respected ( caps locks because I think every single job is respected , but in a different degree of respect , perhaps , ehem ) job fields like medics, engineering and so on. The interviewer asked , if all of them are nurtured to be doctors and engineers , who will be cleaning the city , tapping the rubbers and working in paddy fields and farms ? So yeah , I'm grateful that something popped up in my mind , so I had another chance to speak , something the interviewer wanted to hear . ( She literally told me that , haha )
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| IIUM , Kuantan , the place of interview for the JPA Program Khas Kejuruteraan Scholarship . |
After every presentation , there was a session where we were supposed to ask the presenters questions related to their presentation . Yes , we are supposed to ask and not just keep quiet .
My Malay Language got really 'rusty' as I had not spoken it for quite a while since I only had 3 malay classmates during my senior high . I used to speak English and Chinese , a lot , seriously . Left with no choice , I just pushed myself hard to speak and I did lose my words at times . I used to speak the language VERY fluently T.T
Part III : Group Discussion and Presentation in English Language
Moving on , we were brought into another room , with another 2 interviewers . The ambiance here was more serious and formal tho , because the interviewers never flashed a single smile , but a poker face , or bitch face like people called it .
Like the previous session , I shook the interviewers' hand and greeted them with a smile and got my seat . The interview was carried out exactly like the previous session , but all in English . Group discussion , presentation and questions.
The theme was about overpopulation of foreign workers in Malaysia ? ( well, I'm not too sure , but yeah ... ) and my group mates and I were supposed to elaborate the effects and challenges . The task assigned wasn't too clear . We were wandering what did they mean by the word ' challenge' . Was it the challenges to solve the issue , or the challenges of having too many foreign workers here , in Malaysia ? We decided to ask the interviewers , but to no avail . =( We were told to think and analyse it ourselves . Danggit , hahahha .
There we go , started to brainstorm , discuss and plan . The time allocated was the same as the previous session . English was the only language we used during this session . So yeah , I'm on the winning side hehehe , ( JUST KIDDING) , I mean compared to BM session which had forcibly tied my tongue . I tried really hard to untie it tho .
So , I was verbally or indirectly 'assaulted' by one of my group mate . I can't blame him tho . We were talking about the same point . He was supposed to elaborate the effects of that particular point , while I was supposed to talk about the challenges . This kid had so much to tell until his elaboration swayed so far away from his scope and overlapped what I was gonna talk . Nice one indeed . I had to think of another elaboration to support my point in JUST 1-2 MINUTES WHILE THIS KID WAS PRESENTING HIS PART (OR MAYBE NOT ONLY HIS PART ,if you know what i mean lol) , NO, I'M NOT KIDDING YOU. This guy talked so much till you might thought that was an individual presentation . Our existence were like... not bothered by him . =(
Gosh , when I found out he didn't manage to secure this scholarship , I cheered a little , to myself . I know I shouldn't , but put yourself in my shoes ! You know how much he annoyed me , while I'm trying my best to be the best of the best ! My opinion on why he didn't get the scholarship ? Well ,I think he's too bossy , that's all , further elaboration might reveal his identity .
My Thoughts
It was quite competitive . Everyone was like on the same par . They had the confidence , could speak well and mingle about with one another . So, at the beginning , I was wondering how would they judge us . I guess i got my answer now ,after the entire interview .
I learned to always expect the unexpected ,remain calm and think of alternatives when we were 'screwed' by the others . (LOL) And , of course , remain humble and approachable the whole time . In addition , it's important to make a true and valid statement . This was pointed out by one of the interviewers when a few applicants made random statements that was believed (by them) to be true .
After the interview , I had a feeling that I actually made it .As mentioned above , I said what the interviewers wanted to hear during the BM session . During the BI session , I managed to make the interviewers nod their heads while I was presenting my points , although I was so screwed up by one of my group mate =.= I just didn't feel like myself that day , or I just underestimated myself all this while ?Thank god, I just couldn't explain how was I be able to become so nimble that day . I'm usually very blur and 'out of the situation ' , like all the time.
I'm really, really grateful that the interview went really well for me . All this while , my parents are always criticizing me , saying I'm as timid as a rat , lazy, no confidence , childish and all the bad stuffs . So , I guess I proved them wrong now , earning an overseas scholarship from the government that worth hundreds of thousands ! =)
Like my blogpost ? Follow/be a member of my blog for more . Look there's a share button below , don't forget to hit that button . Remember , letting others know about a scholarship does not make you lose the chance of getting a scholarship . If you have what it takes , you will make it !
By the way I've completed another blogpost about the questions you guys might have , regarding this scholarship.
Click Here
If you have any questions , don't hesitate to ask me in the comment section down below ! I'll reply you as soon as possible !
Peace out (\/)
