GEM Partners with LPDP to Launch Metallurgy Scholarships; Here is How to Apply
The Chinese-based company GEM Co., Ltd. has once again opened opportunities for Indonesia’s younger generation to develop global competencies through the Indonesia-China Cooperation Scholarship in the fields of Metallurgy and International Trade at Central South University (CSU) for the 2026 Master’s Programme. This programme is jointly supported by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) and Central South University (CSU). The initiative is part of a long-term commitment to building Indonesian human resources capable of supporting national industrial transformation.
The opening of this scholarship programme comes amidst the increasing demand for experts in the mineral downstreaming sector, high-tech manufacturing, new energy, and international trade. As the mineral processing industry and global supply chains evolve, the need for talent proficient in technology, materials engineering, economics, and international trade becomes increasingly vital. As a global company operating in new energy materials, resource recycling, and the circular economy, GEM believes that investing in human resources is the fundamental foundation for sustainable industrial development.
“Talent development is a long-term investment that determines a nation’s competitiveness. Through this programme, we hope to help produce a generation of Indonesian professionals with international competence, cutting-edge technological understanding, and the ability to contribute to national industrial development,” said Annisya Putri, Assistant R&D Engineer at the GEM-ITB-CSU Joint Research Laboratory, on Tuesday.
This scholarship programme is not a new initiative. Since its launch in 2019 through the Indonesia-China Joint Training Programme, GEM has consistently supported the development of Indonesian talent in various strategic fields. To date, the programme has nurtured 263 Master’s students and three Doctoral students from 96 universities across 31 of Indonesia’s 38 provinces. The number of participants has continued to increase annually, growing from just 20 students in the first cohort in 2019 to over 260 beneficiaries by 2025. Awardees hail from various leading national universities, including Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), University of Indonesia (UI), and Hasanuddin University (Unhas).
The programme is part of GEM’s long-term vision to support Indonesian talent development through 2045. The Chairman of GEM and the programme’s founder, Professor Xu Kaihua, has set ambitious targets to help produce 100 doctoral graduates, 1,000 Master’s graduates, and 10,000 technical personnel to strengthen Indonesia’s human resource foundation in facing the era of green industry and global economic transformation.
For the 2026 programme, participants will have the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at Central South University, one of China’s leading universities with an international reputation in metallurgy, materials engineering, mining, and industrial engineering. Two fields of study are offered: Materials and Chemicals at the School of Metallurgy and Environment, and Applied Economics - International Economics and Trade. Both programmes are designed to meet the needs of modern industry, which requires a combination of technological mastery, economic analytical skills, and an understanding of global trade dynamics.
To support academic success, participants will undergo a Mandarin Camp for approximately three months before commencing their Master’s programme. Through intensive training led by professional instructors, students will systematically learn Mandarin while understanding the culture and academic environment in China. This feature is a key advantage of the scholarship, helping participants adapt more quickly and increasing their readiness for both academic studies and industrial internship programmes.
Beyond academic education, participants will also gain industrial experience through a one-year internship programme within the GEM Group network, including PT QMB New Energy Materials and the International Green Industrial Park (IGIP). Through this programme, students will have the opportunity to directly understand industrial practices, technological innovation, global supply chain management, and the application of mineral processing technology and new energy materials on an industrial scale.
The collaboration between LPDP, CSU, and GEM also reflects the strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and China in human resource development, knowledge transfer, and industrial capacity building. Through this programme, participants will not only obtain academic degrees but also build international networks and cross-cultural experiences relevant to the needs of the global workforce.
“Scholarship recipients will receive funding support covering tuition fees, registration fees, monthly living allowances, book allowances, health insurance, thesis research costs, support for seminars and international scientific publications, and various other supporting facilities during their studies,” said Annisya.
How to Apply for the LPDP X GEM Scholarship:
This programme is open to Indonesian citizens who meet the established academic and administrative requirements. For the metallurgy and materials field, the programme is intended for graduates of relevant engineering and science disciplines, while the international trade programme is open to graduates of economics, management, engineering, and other disciplines with adequate quantitative skills.