British govt extends scholarships
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)