U.S. helping Indonesian students studying in America and at home

JAKARTA (JP): Fewer academic hours and exemptions on work restrictions are among the policies helping more than 12,000 Indonesians studying in the United States, American Ambassador to Indonesia Stapleton Roy said on Tuesday.

In April it was reported that of the 60,000 Indonesians studying abroad, an estimated 10 percent had returned home, unable to finance their studies since the monetary crisis hit the country last July.

"Since last year, the U.S. government has given dispensation on visa rules allowing Asian students to work outside campus," Roy said after the presentation of the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (AmCham) Scholarships Awards.

A regular student visa allows foreign students to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Roy said the policy "will last until the region sees an economic recovery," which he hoped would be soon. A related measure is that students are being allowed to take fewer credits in a semester.

In addition to assisting overseas students, the scholarships presented on Tuesday were aimed to help students in Indonesia.

Almost 800 fourth-year students from 65 universities will receive Rp 1 million (US$135) this year under the scheme.

The scholarships were for needy students with good grades, "who have preferably taken one course in English language, American studies or business," according to an AmCham release.

The government's efforts to prevent more drop-outs include giving scholarships to needy students regardless of their academic record. In September Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono said the number of drop-outs had reached 2.5 million from the elementary to university level inclusive.

Starting in November, AmCham said its funds of almost $90,000 from 50 firms would be dispersed directly to students' bank accounts for payment of their tuition, books and living expenses.

Regarding the assistance to help students complete their studies in the United States, Richard D. Gong, the U.S. Embassy's Counselor for Information and Culture, said students only needed to apply at the foreign student centers at their respective universities.

A web site information center has also been established by the U.S. government and Association of International Educators (NAFSA) to help foreign students seek scholarships.

"There are also scholarships awarded by the private sector and universities, including from the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council," Roy said.

In April, the council, in cooperation with corporate sponsors, said it was working on providing US$2 million in scholarships. (01)