Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) Yogyakarta provides scholarships for international doctoral program of religious and cross-cultural studies. The amount offered is up to US$27,000 or 250 million rupiah. "The scholarship is earmarked for four years, including for living expenses, book allowance, and health insurance. All scholarships offered will be evaluated every semester," said Director of ICRS Yogya, Prof. Dr. Bernard Adeney-Risakotta, to reporters on Thursday (18/3), in Fortakgama Room UGM.
ICRS Yogya is a S-3 study program of international cross-religious and cultural affairs and is a consortium of three universities in Yogyakarta, i.e. Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University (UIN), and Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana. ICRS Yogya also has network of cooperation with various universities in Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
Established in 2006, ICRS Yogya has a vision as an international doctoral program that not only has academic excellence, but also upholds Indonesian characters. Until now, ICRS Yogya approximately has 30 students from various countries, such as China, Myanmar, the Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, Egypt, Poland, and America.
Berny (Bernard’s nickname) said that as cross-religious and cultural program, students with diverse backgrounds can learn religion or faith together openly and respect each other. "This study is not to undermine a belief or religion, but rather to get a deeper knowledge of religions," he said.
Added by Deputy Director of ICRS, Dr. Siti Syamsiyatun, ICRS Yogya also provides opportunities for students to have Sandwich Program for a semester in several leading overseas universities, such as Georgetown University, Duke University, Florida International University, Temple University, National University of Singapore, and Cape Town University. "Sandwich Program is aimed to give international experience for students and to provide religious perspective in the international world," she added.
The Deputy Director also announced that in this period ICRS Yogya has opened registration for new students until April 12, 2010. For that purpose, an open house will be held on Friday (19/3) at UGM's Graduate School from 08.00 am - 15.00 pm. For more information, please visit www.icrs.ugm.ac.id.