143 Indonesians win Dutch scholarships

JAKARTA (JP): The Netherlands Embassy will send 143 Indonesian professionals to study post graduate programs under government scholarships this year.

The professionals, who will go under the Studeren in Netherlands (STUNET) scholarship program, were selected from among 376 applicants.

Unlike other Dutch government scholarships, STUNET was tailor- made to meet the needs of Indonesian professionals, Claudine Helleman, the first secretary for education, science and culture at the Dutch Embassy, said on Saturday.

The program, administered by the Netherlands Education Center here, was launched in 2000 with 85 students.

It covers tuition fees for studies for period of up to 24 months, a monthly living allowances of 1,545 guilders (Rp 3.8 million) and other expenses, including health insurance, international travel, and the cost of buying books and materials related to the field of study.

The program is closely linked to the effort to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, Helleman said at a pre-departure briefing with the participants on Saturday.

They are scheduled to leave for the Netherlands in October.

Monique Soesman, coordinator of the program, encouraged participants to return to Indonesia and participate in building the country with their newly acquired knowledge and skills.

"I hope you will all come back and help the development of Indonesia," she said.

Azwar Hasan, a freelance journalist who studied at Leiden University under a Dutch government scholarship, cautioned the participants about possible distractions while studying.

"I saw friends get distracted because of the cultural shock. Others were unable to focus on their study because of homesickness," he told The Jakarta Post.

For Azwar, it was well worth the effort.

"I was able to learn more about new cultures and surroundings. It was a truly enriching experience," he said. (06)