"We plan to start this (scholarship) program in January next year. We have talked with LPDP," Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara informed here on Thursday.
He said that the selection period for the scholarship program will be the same as for the LPDP Scholarship Program, namely January and July 2025.
However, he added that the ministry will consider the preparation first before deciding to start the program.
The minister informed that the Patriot Transmigration and Patriot Scholarship programs will not only target the children of transmigrants, but also all young Indonesians who have the spirit of defending the country.
"Before we prepare them mentally, intellectually, and physically in the Patriot Scholarship Program, we will first select these young people who have patriotic characters, namely people who are brave and willing to sacrifice for the nation and state," Suryanagara said.
Participants who pass the selection will undergo basic military education for 1.5 months as reserve soldiers.
They will also undergo a matriculation program in several transmigration areas for approximately three months, where they will live with locals who will serve as their foster parents.
"We hope that during those three months, they will learn, observe, and assess the potentials, challenges, and opportunities in the transmigration areas," he said.
Next, the participants will pursue bachelor's degrees (S1), master's degrees (S2), or doctorate degrees (S3) in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at various leading global universities.
After graduation, they will be assigned to the transmigration areas for a period of 10 years.
Upon finishing the assignment period, the scholarship beneficiaries will have the option to stay on or develop their careers elsewhere.
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Translator: Uyu L, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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