Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a delegation from the Jardine Foundation on Friday (Jan. 30). The meeting, held at the Rector’s Room, discussed the potential expansion of collaboration between the two parties in providing scholarships to support undergraduate and postgraduate education funding.
As is widely known, the Jardine Foundation is an educational trust established by Jardine Matheson in 1982 to commemorate the company’s 150th anniversary. Founded in China in 1832, Jardine Matheson has grown into a diversified investment company with a focus on Asia.
The foundation offers full scholarships to outstanding applicants to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, expressed her appreciation for the Jardine Foundation’s support in strengthening UGM students’ education. She noted that the number of scholarship applicants has increased over time, indicating a growing learning spirit among the academic community.
“With the increasing number of applicants from year to year, supporting facilities are needed, particularly in terms of financial support as a key aspect. Based on the data, the ratio between the Jardine Scholarship quota and applicants is approximately 1:5,” she said.
Anthony Nightingale, Director of Matheson & Co Ltd. and Commissioner of Astra International, stated that Indonesia is one of the two primary target countries for the scholarship program, alongside China.
“Financial need is one of the factors that must be considered. We want to equalize opportunities, especially for students who do not have the means to study at prestigious universities,” he explained.
Rector Emilia further stated that since 2015, the Jardine Foundation has provided extensive support to UGM alumni and lecturers. To date, approximately 17 postgraduate students have studied at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
Meanwhile, approximately 40 recipients of the undergraduate scholarship program have been awarded from 2022 to 2025.
Based on these achievements, the rector noted that the Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations has proposed expanding the scope of the scholarship scheme to include master’s and doctoral programs, both single- and dual-degree, across the university.
UGM’s Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, Professor Puji Astuti, explained that the Jardine Foundation is one of UGM’s partners that consistently supports the university community and is committed to establishing annual scholarship programs.
The initiative aims to expand access to advanced education for local students with financial constraints and to nurture local talents to become future leaders who will give back to society.
“UGM also continues to strive for educational equity so that higher education can be accessed by all segments of society and Indonesia’s younger generation,” she concluded.
Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Firsto Adi