Baznas distributes scholar scholarships to support the President's Asta Cita
Padang (ANTARA) - The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) of the Republic of Indonesia has distributed Baznas scholar scholarships worth Rp1.5 billion to underprivileged students within the scope of Andalas University (Unand) in West Sumatra as an effort to support President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita programme.
“This initiative also aligns with the mission of Asta Cita point four in preparing an elite generation towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” said the head of Baznas RI’s Distribution and Utilisation Division, Idy Muzayyad, in Padang on Friday.
According to him, productive zakat management has proven capable of driving improvements in human resource quality. This is evident from Baznas scholar scholarship alumni who have contributed in various sectors.
“Some alumni have even transformed into muzakis and returned to contribute through zakat to help other communities,” he said.
He stated that the success of these scholar scholarship alumni will continue, especially in the education sector. He hopes that this step can contribute to realising Golden Indonesia in 2045.
“This is the cycle of goodness that we want to continue building, from mustahik to muzaki through the path of education,” he said.
The Rp1.5 billion scholar scholarship assistance consists of zakat funds from ParagonCorp channelled through Baznas. This assistance is given to support various education and social programmes, including scholarships for 214 students from Aceh and Sumatra affected by disasters.
Scholar scholarships represent a concrete solution in expanding access to inclusive, equitable, and just higher education. Baznas views support from the private sector as an important factor in strengthening the impact of the programme.
“Baznas welcomes ParagonCorp’s fulfilment of corporate zakat while contributing to the sustainability of student education, especially in disaster-affected areas,” he said.
Baznas is also continuing to expand the reach of the scholar scholarship programme by collaborating with 223 educational institutions domestically, as well as developing programmes to overseas locations such as Russia and the Middle East. This step is part of Baznas’s commitment to building a broad, inclusive, and sustainable education ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Unand Rector Efa Yonnedi appreciated Baznas and ParagonCorp for the initiative in expanding access to education for students from low-income families.
“The synergy between Baznas, universities, and the private sector is key in producing an elite generation that is not only competent academically but also has strong character,” she said.