He said the aim of the scholarship program was to introduce Indonesian art and culture to these youths.
"We hope that they will be able to promote Indonesian art and culture upon returning to their countries," Wardana said.
He added that the scholarship program was also intended to promote friendship and mutual understanding about the arts and cultures of the participating countries.
"After the three-month scholarship program, the participants will join together in a cultural performance," said the former Indonesian ambassador to Egypt.
As part of the scholarship program, participants will also visit the cities of Bandung, Solo, Surabaya, Denpasar, and Makassar to study the local art and culture.
Wardana said the participants of the cultural scholarship program came from Italy, Germany, England, Japan, Serbia, and ASEAN countries, among others.
He added that the recipients of the scholarship would study Bahasa Indonesia and other ethnic languages, arts, cultures, and religion through a series of activities.
He noted that this cultural scholarship program began in 2003 and has so far been attended by 384 young people from 49 countries.
(O001/INE)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
