Because of their (economic) condition, it is difficult (for them) to access higher education, thus the government gives the ADik scholarships.
Biak, Papua (ANTARA) - The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry has provided scholarships under the Higher Education Affirmation (ADik) program to 200 high school graduates from Biak Numfor district, Papua province, in 2023.

"Currently, the registration for the 2023 Higher Education Affirmation scholarship is open," Head of the Biak Numfor Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud) Kamaruddin said here on Monday.

He emphasized that the provision of the scholarships to native students of Biak Numfor district is a concrete attempt by the central government to improve the indigenous Papuan human resources.

He informed that registrants who have passed the selection process would get the opportunity to continue their studies at one of the 50 state universities (PTN) of Indonesia.

The office head said that according to Law Number 12/2012 regarding Higher Education, the government is required to improve access and opportunities to tertiary education and prepare the Indonesian people, especially in Papua, to become smart and competitive golden generations.

The scholarship is one of the educational policy interventions given through government assistance to provide learning opportunities in tertiary education institutions for high school graduates, he added.

"Because of their (economic) condition, it is difficult (for them) to access higher education, thus the government gives the ADik scholarships," he said.

In addition to the ADik scholarship, the ministry has also provided Secondary Education Affirmation (ADem) scholarships to 10 native children from Biak Numfor district to allow them to continue their studies at senior high schools (SMA).

Kamaruddin said that his party will continue to improve the quality of each educational unit, meet the needs of teachers, as well as provide educational scholarships for students in the region.

"Disdikbud is committed to keep improving the quality of education services in Biak Numfor district," he added.

Earlier, Head of the Papua Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) Aryoko Ferdinand Rumaropen noted that a number of scholarship programs have been prepared for a total of 3,356 recipients across the province in 2023.

He said that the Papua provincial government will no longer manage the scholarship programs as special autonomy funds have been directly handed over to each district and city government.

Related news: Young Papuan scientists urged to do research to support policymaking
Related news: Papua: Govt seeks to develop young sports talents
Related news: Jokowi encourages quality improvement of West Papua's young farmers



Translator: Muhsidin, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023