East Kalimantan Opens Study Opportunities in Cairo Through Free Education Programme

The Provincial Government of East Kalimantan is opening opportunities for local students who wish to pursue further education or study abroad, including in Cairo, Egypt, through the Gratispol Pendidikan (Free Education) Programme. Governor Rudy Mas’ud stated that the provincial government has prepared a budget of IDR 1.5 trillion for the free education assistance programme. He made the remarks while receiving a visit from the Director of Islamic Religious Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muchlis Muhammad Hanafi, at his office in Samarinda on Tuesday. Rudy assessed Al-Azhar University in Cairo as one of the world’s centres of Islamic civilisation and education, making it a strategic destination for the young generation of East Kalimantan. He added that the government has also allocated assistance of IDR 13 million per year for each East Kalimantan student pursuing studies in Cairo. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that graduates from Cairo would bring transformative knowledge to develop the region and strengthen the morals of the younger generation. Meanwhile, Muchlis Muhammad Hanafi, who also serves as Secretary General of the Indonesian branch of the International Organisation of Al-Azhar Alumni, appreciated the East Kalimantan provincial government’s significant commitment, describing the programme as a major opportunity that students should utilise well.