Tuition waived for Aceh students

YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has waived tuition for Acehnese students at the state university following the disaster in their home province.

The move was taken to ease the financial burden on Acehnese students affected by the earthquake and tidal waves.

UGM executive secretary Agus Sartono said on Wednesday he sent a circular to all of the university's departments explaining the policy.

There are 304 Acehnese students studying at the country's oldest state university.

In addition to paying Rp 500,000 in tuition per semester, each UGM student must pay between Rp 60,000 and Rp 75,000 per class.

Deputy rector Marwan Asri said the university also would send 15 medical specialists, three general practitioners, five dentists, five psychologists and four pharmacists to Aceh to assist in the recovery process. - JP