As a global community with strong ties to Indonesia that date back more than 70 years, Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) is proud to give back to our host country by playing an active role in empowering students and teachers through education. From immersive workshops to hands-on training initiatives, here are some of the ways JIS connects with local schools, organizations, and government agencies to promote educational excellence and build a brighter future for all.

1. JIS BTI Scholarship

The Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (BTI) scholarship program at JIS provides exceptional Indonesian students with a unique opportunity to receive a globalized education that will help them fulfill their potential. The program covers all school fees, learning materials, transportation, and additional examination fees from the moment the recipients arrive until they complete their studies.

To be eligible, candidates must be enrolled in a state junior high school (SMPN) or state high school (SMAN) in Jakarta. Each year, up to three scholars are selected based on their outstanding performance in academics, sports, the arts, and social outreach. Since the program's inception in 2018, 11 students have been awarded the scholarship, three of whom are currently pursuing their higher education in universities in Canada and across Europe.

2. Innovative Schools Programme

The Innovative Schools Programme (ISP) was established in 2009 by the non-profit organization Yayasan Emmanuel, which was founded by a JIS alumnus, in collaboration with Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS). JIS joined the program in 2013 and since then, we have worked closely with other Joint Cooperation Schools (SPK) to help elevate the standards of teaching across Indonesia. Our collective goal is to upskill educators in all aspects of teaching and learning, and inspire them to have a more meaningful impact on their students.

JIS teachers volunteer their time and leverage their international expertise to introduce innovative teaching methodologies and approaches, with the aim of fostering an engaging and dynamic learning environment.

3. Jakarta Principals Shadowing Program

The Jakarta Principal Shadowing Program is a professional development opportunity for the leadership of state schools across the capital. For two days, participating principals work together as they share their observations from their own experiences, receive feedback and insights from JIS administrators, and address the various challenges prevalent in Indonesian schools. It’s also a unique look into the scope and complex demands of managing an international-standard school the size of JIS. 

4. CS50x

On March 9-11, 2023, JIS played host to a cutting-edge initiative aimed at enhancing the digital skills of educators all over Indonesia. The program was the culmination of an online pilot course offered by Harvard University and Indonesia's Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbud Ristek), with the goal to help local teachers integrate Harvard's world-renowned CS50x computer science and programming course materials into their classrooms.

The three-day conference was held at JIS's Cilandak campus and attended by close to 150 participants from both state and public middle and high schools throughout the archipelago. It was the final phase of their six-month course, which included a series of online workshops aimed at empowering local educators with the knowledge and tools to enhance their digital pedagogy. 

JIS is proud to have played a role in these collaborative initiatives and looks forward to fostering more connections through our mutual passion for education.