Minister Subianto highlighted that the scholarship aims to prepare Palestinian human resources to contribute to the development of their nation.
"I, Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, on behalf of the Republic of Indonesia on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 09:15, received 22 Palestinian students to take Indonesian language courses and undergraduate studies at the Defense University for five years," he told Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al-Shun, during a reception for Palestinian students at the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Office, Jakarta, Wednesday.
The minister then entrusted the cadets to Rector of the Defense University, Lieutenant General Jonni Mahroza, along with the ranks of Defense University lecturers who were also present at the event.
"To the rector and all lecturers, take care of them well. Be a substitute for their parents. They are far from their families, who are in a very difficult situation," he emphasized.
He explained that the 22 students, who came from West Bank, will study in several programs, namely the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Information Engineering.
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Before joining the program, they will spend a year studying the Indonesian language at the Language Education and Training Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.
"In future, we are ready to receive more students with this scholarship. This is one of the government's commitments in supporting the people of Palestine for their independence," Subianto remarked.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Al-Shun expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian government for the scholarship program provided to young Palestinians.
"This is a promise fulfilled by Minister Subianto some time ago, and today, it has been realized," he remarked.
The scholarship program at the Defense University is a follow-up to the meeting between Minister Subianto and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ibrahim Shtayyeh at the Ministry of Defense Office in Jakarta in October last year.
From that meeting, the Palestinian ambassador and the rector of the Defense University at that time, Vice Admiral Amarulla Octavian, signed the Indonesian and Palestinian educational cooperation framework document at the Ministry of Defense Office, Jakarta, on June 19, 2023.
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Translator: Genta Tenri M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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