Imapa Jadetabek Selects 120 Students for Scholarship Aid
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Papua Students Association (Imapa) in Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jadetabek) has selected 120 Papuan students as prospective recipients of scholarship assistance in 2026. The aid is intended to help students facing financial hardship and falling behind on education costs.
Imapa Jadetabek chairman Akianus Wenda said he was moved and proud of the committee’s long efforts to advance the education prospects of Papuan students in the region.
“I am personally very moved and proud. This has not been an easy struggle. Previously, I tried to meet with provincial governments in the region to seek solutions to the educational difficulties faced by our fellow Papuan students, but we did not receive the response or certainty we had hoped for,” Akianus said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.
He also expressed pride in the committee’s sustained efforts to advocate for the education of Papuan students in Jadetabek.
“On behalf of all the committee members and Papuan students in Jadetabek, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Deputy Speaker of the House Professor Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Danantara Indonesia, and BRI, BNI and Bank Mandiri for their concern for fellow Papuan students whose financial difficulties have prevented them from continuing their studies,” Akianus said.
He said education assistance was about more than tuition fees; it concerned the future of Papua’s younger generation.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are simply fighting for the opportunity for our fellow Papuan students to continue their studies, complete their education and one day return to develop Papua. Their future should not be cut short simply because of financial hardship,” Akianus said.
The 120 students are prospective scholarship recipients who have undergone initial data collection and verification by the Imapa Jadetabek committee. Further verification and the final decision on recipients will follow the rules set by the relevant parties.
Akianus urged all prospective recipients to honour the trust placed in them and remain committed to completing their education.
“This struggle is not only for 120 students, but also for Papua’s future. I hope our fellow students will honour this trust, study diligently and one day become part of the solution for the people and land of Papua,” Akianus said.