AusAID awards
On Aug. 15, The Jakarta Post published a letter regarding the selection process for scholarships provided to Indonesia by the Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
I am very pleased that this year AusAID is providing 360 scholarships for Indonesians to undertake post-graduate study in Australia. These scholarships will help address Indonesia's human resource development needs in key sectors such as civil governance, health, rural development and the environment. In response to the economic crisis, 60 extra awards are being provided this year to students in economic governance disciplines such as finance, economics, business and law.
It is important to note that the selection process is extremely competitive. For example, last year we received almost 3,000 applications. Many students who met the 2.7 grade point average (GPA) and 4.5 English language requirements were still not shortlisted for interview. In conjunction with our Indonesian government counterparts, we decided to increase the minimum GPA from 2.7 to 2.9, and the English requirement from 4.5 to 5.0.
We are pleased that despite tightening the eligibility requirements, the demand for scholarships has reached record levels this year. AusAID and IDP Education Australia, which administers the scholarship program on behalf of AusAID, have received over 10,000 inquiries for application forms, with a week still remaining before applications close on Aug. 28.
I can assure applicants for AusAID scholarships that the selection process to determine awardees is highly professional, transparent, thorough and objective. The selection team comprises eminent Indonesian and Australian academics and local government representatives. The team has vast experience in the Indonesian university system and is conscious of the subjectivity and variability that can occur with GPAs across universities in both the public and private sector. This factor is taken into account in the selection of awardees.
TITON MITRA
Acting Counselor
Development Cooperation
AusAID
Jakarta