British govt extends scholarships
JAKARTA (JP): Fifty-nine Indonesian postgraduate students have returned home after completing one-year master's degrees at British universities. The program was financed by the British government through the Chevening Awards scheme.
A fresh batch of 55 Chevening scholarship recipients will be leaving for postgraduate studies in Britain beginning in September 1999. The two groups met here on Thursday evening at a reception hosted by British Ambassador Robin Christopher.
In Indonesia, 55 scholarships are offered every year by the British government for master's degrees and short postgraduate courses. Some 450 scholarships have been awarded since the scheme began in 1984.
According to the program's coordinator, Yeyet Suryanti of the British Council, the scheme demonstrates the British government's commitment to nurturing links between the two countries.
The application process has begun for the 2000/2001 academic year, and forms can be obtained through Yeyet Suryanti at the British Council in Jakarta (tel. 021-252 4115, 021-252 4122 or fax. 021-252 4129). Closing date is March 10, 1999.
In a related development, the Study in Britain Exhibition opens on Friday at the Jakarta Convention Center. A total of 25 British universities and colleges are taking part in the two-day expo.
The exhibition will move to the Hyatt Regency in Bandung on March 1, the Hyatt Regency in Surabaya on March 3 and the Radisson Hotel in Bali on March 5.
Among the universities taking part are the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the University of London and the University of Leeds.
Meanwhile, Antara reported on Thursday that 28 German companies operating in Indonesia granted scholarships worth Rp 1.2 billion to assist 387 crisis-hit students of the University of Indonesia (UI), and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
German Ambassador to Indonesia Heinrich Seemann told a media conference here the scholarship program was designed to help the economically stretched but academically excellent students complete their final years of education.
"We guarantee that human resource development is our commitment to Indonesia's future," he said, adding that about 2,500 Indonesian students are currently studying at various universities around Germany.
The 387 students have been chosen by their respective universities after checking their financial needs and their academic performance. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) acted as the program's coordinator.
University of Indonesia Rector Asman Boedisantoso Ranakusuma and Rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology Lilik Hendradjaja welcomed the scholarship program.
"About 10 percent of the 37,000 students of UI have severely been hit by this current economic crisis. We have tried to help them by allowing them to take part-time jobs and cutting their tuition fees," Boedisantoso said. (swe)