What is Known About the Briefing for LPDP Scholarship Recipients by the TNI

Recipients of scholarships or awardees from the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) must attend a briefing from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) during pre-departure preparations (PK) before continuing their studies. This process has subsequently become the focus of public attention.

The briefing is attended by LPDP scholarship recipients at the master’s (S2) and doctoral (S3) levels for studies both domestically and abroad. Statements on this matter have been issued to the public by LPDP, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, and the TNI.

LPDP Hopes for Character Strengthening

LPDP has explained the involvement of the TNI in the pre-departure preparations for scholarship recipients. LPDP states that the pre-departure preparation (PK) activity is not something new.

“LPDP has continuously organised Pre-Departure Preparations (PK) as part of the initial training for scholarship recipients before undertaking their studies. This PK activity has been conducted since the inception of the LPDP scholarship programme and is an important component in ensuring the readiness of scholarship recipients, both academically and non-academically,” said the Head of the Legal and Communications Division of LPDP, M Lukmanul Hakim, when contacted on Monday (4/5).

He stated that PK aims to equip scholarship recipients with character strengthening and national values. He hopes that the activity can enable recipients or awardees to pursue their studies responsibly.

“PK aims to equip scholarship recipients with character strengthening, national values, leadership, ethics, as well as mental and social readiness, so that awardees can undertake their study period optimally and responsibly as recipients of state scholarships,” he said.

TNI’s Statement

The TNI has also provided a response regarding this matter. The TNI states that the activity will be held this week.

“Regarding the information, it is true that the Air Force TNI is facilitating the implementation of the Pre-Departure Preparation (PK) programme organised by the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base from Monday, 4 May 2026 to Saturday, 9 May 2026,” said the Air Force Information Director, Marsma TNI I Nyoman Suadnyana, when contacted on Monday (4/5).

He stated that the programme is attended by LPDP scholarship recipients at the master’s (S2) and doctoral (S3) levels for studies both domestically and abroad. He said the programme is part of the briefing before entering the study period.

“The material provided focuses on strengthening mental readiness, discipline, leadership, patriotism, and character building, with presenters from various government agencies, including personnel from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base requested to deliver sessions as per the request,” he explained.

Finance Minister Purbaya’s Explanation

Finance Minister Purbaya has spoken out regarding the TNI’s involvement in the PK activity for LPDP scholarship recipients. Purbaya emphasised that the briefing is not for military purposes but to strengthen discipline and nationalism among the participants.

According to him, physical exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups are part of character and discipline building.

“The LPDP has further briefing involving the TNI, not for war but to train and strengthen their nationalism. Usually, sit-ups and push-ups are discipline training, actually training love for the country. Discipline is love for the country,” said Purbaya during a media meeting at the Ministry of Finance office in Central Jakarta, as reported by detikFinance on Monday (4/5).

According to the State Treasurer, this is important so that scholarship recipients maintain their love for the country while pursuing education abroad. He expressed reluctance to see LPDP scholarship recipients insulting their own country after being sent abroad.

“Don’t let it be like before, going abroad and then insulting their own country. That’s the main thing,” Purbaya stressed.

Regarding the additional budget for TNI involvement in the briefing, Purbaya said the amount is relatively small and still considered an investment. He assessed that the cost is commensurate with the large funds expended by the state to finance recipients’ education abroad.

According to him, the additional cost is also important to ensure that scholarship recipients return and contribute to Indonesia after completing their studies.

“At Halim, right? That’s fine, it’s an investment. If it adds a little, not much compared to the cost of years abroad. And if they don’t return, the loss is big for me,” said Purbaya.

Purbaya also stated that future LPDP policies will focus more on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. He assessed that so far, many scholarship recipients have taken non-STEM majors, whereas future development needs heavily depend on technology mastery.

“When I was in New York, to DC, meeting LPDP scholarship recipients and non-LPDP ones, there were 50 people. Most of their majors were not STEM. So not what we need, we will change that because we must increase technology use going forward, or we’ll be left behind,” Purbaya concluded.