West Kalimantan Launches International Scholarship and High School Distance Learning Programme for 2026

West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for an International Scholarship Programme and simultaneously launched a High School Distance Learning Programme for 2026 at SMA Negeri 1 Pontianak. “This programme is a collaboration with the Yongzhou Polytechnic Institute, China, aimed at expanding access to education and improving the quality of West Kalimantan’s human resources to compete at the global level. Today’s agenda marks the start of two strategic programmes with the same goal, namely expanding access and improving the quality of education for the young generation of West Kalimantan,” said Ria Norsan in Pontianak on Thursday. He appreciated the initiative of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives member Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, who opened up international education opportunities for West Kalimantan students through the scholarship programme. According to Norsan, the collaboration not only increases the capacity of the younger generation but also serves as part of educational diplomacy that strengthens relations between Indonesia and China. Meanwhile, Rifqinizamy Karsayuda stated that the programme provides 10 full scholarships for outstanding students to study at the Yongzhou Polytechnic Institute. According to him, the programme not only offers the opportunity to study abroad but also opens access to employment through partnerships with multinational companies that have networks in various countries. “This programme not only improves students’ technical competencies but also broadens their global insights,” he said. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti, who attended the MoU signing in person, appreciated the programme as it aligns with the government’s efforts to expand access to quality education through multi-party collaboration. In addition to the international scholarship programme, the West Kalimantan Provincial Government also launched a High School Distance Learning Programme to expand access to educational services for students across various regions in West Kalimantan. Through these two programmes, the West Kalimantan Provincial Government hopes to accelerate the development of superior human resources ready to compete internationally while contributing to regional development.