Indonesian Air Force Responds to Involvement in Briefing LPDP Scholarship Recipients

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has spoken out regarding its involvement in the briefing for recipients of scholarships from the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP).

Head of the TNI AU Information Service (Kadispenau), First Marshal (Marsma) I Nyoman Suadnyana, confirmed that his side is facilitating the implementation of the Departure Preparation (PK) programme organised by LPDP at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base from Monday (4/5) to Saturday (9/5).

“The programme is attended by prospective LPDP scholarship recipients and recipients for Master’s (S2) and Doctoral (S3) levels, both for domestic and overseas studies, as part of the briefing before entering the study period,” Nyoman said when contacted on Tuesday (5/5).

He explained that the materials provided to the participants focus on strengthening mental readiness, discipline, leadership, love for the homeland, and character formation.

Nyoman denied that the participants received marching drills.

“With presenters from various government agencies, including personnel from Halim Air Base, they are asked to fill in according to the request,” he said.

Previously, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendikti Saintek) Brian Yuliarto explained the involvement of the TNI to toughen LPDP scholarship recipients.

He reasoned that involving the state defence institution is to ensure that the scholarship recipients do not experience culture shock when studying abroad.

In addition, according to him, the TNI will also provide reinforcement of national values as well as discipline training for the scholarship recipients.

“So that they do not experience culture shock and the like. Including discipline. There is also reinforcement of nationalism,” he told reporters, quoted from 20Detik, on Sunday (3/4).