Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie stated on Monday that this decision followed a meeting between her side, President Prabowo Subianto, and representatives of the Russel Group, a group of 24 top universities in the UK.
"I asked them to accommodate our US students by allowing transfers to the UK, and they agreed to the proposal," Christie stated.
She elaborated that this transfer option applies to 45 recipients of the Beasiswa Indonesia Maju/Advanced Indonesia Scholarship (BIM) and the 2025 Garuda Scholarship who have been accepted to US universities this year.
However, she clarified that student transfers will only proceed with the recipients' approval.
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"We give them the choice—whether they want to transfer or not," Christie stated.
This offer is based on the government's response to the current US government's decision to prohibit international students from entering the country on study visas, including the suspension of new visa appointments.
"For now, visas to the US, either appointments or new appointments for student visas and exchange programs, have been halted," she stated.
In addition to the UK transfer option, Christie also ensured local state universities' readiness to accept Indonesian students from the US.
"Almost all of them, all leading state universities, are open for this option," Christie remarked.
Earlier, in May, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its representative in the United States, had arranged consular assistance for 87 Indonesian students affected by the US government's restrictions on foreign student enrollment at Harvard University.
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Translator: Sean Filo M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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