Outstanding Telkom University Student, Haddy Joof, Pursues Master's in Italy with a Full Scholarship

Haddy Joof, a Telkom University student from the School of Communication and Social Sciences, continues his Master’s at the University of Padua, Italy, with a Full Scholarship.

Bandung, May 04, 2026 — Another proud achievement has emerged from Telkom University. Haddy Joof, a student of the Bachelor of Communication Science International Class program at the School of Communication and Social Sciences (SCS), has successfully secured a place for his Master’s degree (S2) at the University of Padua, Italy, with a full scholarship.

The student from Gambia shared the journey of his path, starting from choosing Telkom University to ultimately being accepted into one of Italy’s most prestigious universities.

Haddy revealed that his decision to choose Telkom University began with a friend’s recommendation. According to him, Telkom University is well-known as one of the best private campuses in Indonesia and offers various scholarship opportunities.

Furthermore, he felt that the Communication Science study program aligned perfectly with his interests and potential. His interest in the world of communication had been growing for a long time, especially through his active involvement in public speaking and debate activities in his home country.

“I feel that studying Communication Science at Telkom University was like opening a gate to further development,” he said.

As an International Class student, Haddy also felt that the use of English in the academic environment was a significant advantage. Since English is his primary language, it made the learning process more comfortable while supporting his academic growth.

During his time on campus, Haddy admitted to having many memorable experiences. He viewed the Telkom University environment as highly supportive, providing numerous opportunities to collaborate and step out of his comfort zone.

“The people here are amazing. My classmates helped me a lot during the learning process,” he remarked.

However, his academic journey was not without challenges. One of the biggest obstacles he faced was the language barrier when he first arrived in Indonesia. He admitted that he did not understand Indonesian at first, which made the adaptation process feel difficult.

Nevertheless, Haddy chose to keep learning and strived to communicate with his surroundings. He attempted to use English while learning Indonesian through daily interactions, including with the dormitory staff.

According to Haddy, one of the experiences that most influenced his personal development was joining the “Students for Liberty” organization. The organization encourages students to advocate for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and to share ideas regarding global freedom and opportunity.

His success in securing a full scholarship to the University of Padua did not happen overnight. Haddy admitted that he began planning for further studies as early as his first semester of undergraduate (S1) study. He was active in searching for information about various universities and scholarships from several countries, including the UK, Canada, and Italy.

“I knew what I wanted to aim for from the beginning, so I started my preparation early,” he explained.

He added that academic performance and organizational activities were crucial factors that supported his selection process.

Closing the interview, Haddy shared a motivational message for Telkom University students to not limit themselves and to dare to have big dreams.

“Never say ‘I can’t do it.’ Actually, you can, as long as you are willing to work hard and pray. Don’t listen to what others say. Every journey has its challenges, and challenges are lessons,” he advised.

Haddy Joof’s success serves as proof that a supportive campus environment, hard work, and a clear vision can pave the way to global opportunities.