Chances of getting a scholarship to study are increasingly open for anyone. It was given not only to lecturers or prospective teachers, but also the general public as long as they have specialty. "If teachers or prospective teachers got a scholarship, it is normal, because they have budgeted the funds," said Musa Yosep, S.IP., M. Ak, at University Club on Thursday (29/9).
Head of Planning and International Cooperation Bureau, General Secretary of the Ministry of National Education of Indonesia said that during the Workshop Capacity Building and Academic Evaluation of Students Receiving Scholarship Program at Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate Levels. It was said that competitive scholarship program at the level of Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral is constantly increasing. When in 2009 the number of competitive scholarship was still limited, in 2010 the number was substantially increased, both in the number and distribution of university. "So, it is not surprising that many private universities receive this scholarship," he said.
In a workshop held by the Faculty of Engineering in collaboration with Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, the General Secretary, Ministry of National Education, Musa Yosep mentioned in more detail the scholarship budget allocation in 2011, amounting to 127 billion rupiah. This amount is increased to 160 billion, when in mid-year it would receive additional 32 billion. "The availability of the budget is certainly enough to invite the 4000 students who will sign up," he explained.
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Wibisono, MUP., M.Sc., Ph.D. stated that the workshop was held as an effort to evaluate the academic work program that has been accomplished so far. He hopes this activity serves as a reflection on the various achievements of the competitive scholarship program. "Therefore, the aspiration of Ministry of National Education and related agencies can be materialized," he said.
With the evaluation, he said, various constraints or other opportunities, certainly, would be identified, thus able to increase the competitive scholarship program. Besides, various steps can be determined in future that can meet the needs of stakeholders. "This scholarship scheme does support the study of S1, S2 and S3. Data for the last five years said this national scholarship program showed positive achievements," he added.
A total of 60 participants attended the workshop for two days, 29-30 September 2011. They are delegations from various universities in Indonesia, among others, UI, UGM, State University of Malang, Universitas Diponegoro, UNY, ITB, ITS, Manufacturing State Polytechnic of Bandung and TEDC Polytechnic of Bandung. Workshop material was presented by Dr.-ing. Ir. Agus Maryono (UGM), Dr.rer.nat. Ir. Lilik Eko Widodo, MS (ITB), Dr. Ir. Muhammad Asvial, M. Eng (UI), Prof. Dr. Ir. Sumarsono, MS (Undip) and Mohamad Hariadi, ST, M.Sc., Ph.D. (ITS). Meanwhile, during the workshop the material on the tracer study of competitive scholarship program of the UI, UGM, Undip, ITB and ITS was also presented.
At the same time a panel discussion was also held on the topic "Collaboration in Education and Research and Service in the Asean Region, Indonesian Strategy in Improving Network and Cooperation", with panelists Dr. Ir. Gatot Hari Priowirjanto (Director of SEAMEO/SEAMOLEC) and Dr. AB Susanto, M. Sc (Competitive Scholarship Program Coordinator, BPKLN, Ministry of National Education).
With the workshop Capacity Building and Academic Evaluation of Students Receiving Scholarship Program at Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate Levels, it is expected to be a forum for experiences sharing and evaluation of competitive scholarship academic programs. In addition, it was also expected to improve cooperation between universities in foreign countries, forming a Competitive Scholarship Network.