UK offers RI students over 200 scholarships

JAKARTA (JP): More than 200 scholarships to study in Britain are being offered to Indonesian students by British schools, colleges and universities, an executive of the British Council said.

The council's senior consultant for education and training, Geoff Evans, said Thursday that the scholarships were offered as part of a Friendship Package.

The package coincides with the 50th anniversary of the British Council's existence in Indonesia, Evans said.

"The scholarships are part of a plan of assistance that British institutions, the British Council and with help from British industry, have developed for Indonesian students who are in a dilemma resulting from the current currency crisis."

The 200 scholarships, which partially or totally cover tuition fees, ranging from US$1,333 to $62,200, are for A level and foundation studies, for undergraduate degrees, postgraduate studies and research.

Evans said the scholarships were provided by 33 of Britain's top schools, colleges and universities.

University of Exeter topped the list by providing 100 scholarships worth US$3,555 each.

The subjects offered include earth sciences, geography, physics and astronomy, psychology, mathematics and sciences, humanity and social sciences, engineering, medicine, management studies and others.

"In some universities, the students are quite free to choose any course of study in the curriculum," Evans said.

"The scholarships are surely going to benefit over 200 students."

He said the countries shared a good relationship and he urged some parties in Britain to assist Indonesian students who were studying in Britain.

"There have been also some cases where universities have frozen their level of fees or are offering substantial reduction on fees to Indonesian students."

Evans also revealed that the Friendship Package was aimed at making Britain a feasible and competitive study destination.

Included in the program are special student and parent airfares from British Airways, free medical care, subsidized transport within Britain, financial counseling by Standard Chartered Bank, and career guidance by Hanesa Human Resources Organization.

To reach Indonesian students, the 33 British institutions will hold a program in four cities -- Surabaya, Jakarta, Bandung and Medan -- to talk about the courses and counsel students and their parents, he said in a statement.

"The long-traveling program is designed to assist parents and students to see a way to still realize their plans and to be able to do so without experiencing severe discomfort," he said. (emf)