Like in the previous year, the Ministry of Education and Culture once again launched 1000 competitive scholarships. The scholarships intended for students of degree program (S-1), graduate (S-2), and doctoral (S-3). "One thousand competitive scholarships are allocated for students throughout Indonesia at the higher education level, both public and private," said Secretary-General of the Ministry, Musa Yosef, S.I.P, M.Ak., on the sidelines of the launch of the competitive scholarship at the UGM Graduate School, Thursday (5/1).
Musa explained, in order to realize this program, the Ministry disburses a budget of 94 billion rupiah. The budget is not only allocated for new scholarship recipients, but also regular student of the school year 2010/2011. Although there has been decreases, the program that began since 2006 always draws interests. The applicant from the Java Island became the majority recipients of this scholarship. The scholarships are awarded to cover tuition payments or Donations for Educational Development (SPP) for students during their study time.
Meanwhile, for students studying abroad in the double degree program, the scholarship also covers living expenses during college. "For this year, one thousand scholarships are the result of selection of some 10,000 candidates selected at the college level," he said.
Musa added to get the scholarship students are required to have a grade point (IP) of at least 3.25 and TOEFL score a minimum of 500. The Competitive Scholarship is not only available for those who have great academic grades, but also open for those who have achievements in the field of sports and arts. Colleges which apply their students for a scholarship must have the accreditation of at least B and is developing a double degree program on the respective campus. "The number of scholarship recipients as well as the amount of scholarship depend on the respective colleges. It could be different from one university to another," he explained.
Director of the UGM Graduate School, Prof. Dr. Hartono, said there were 80 UGM students receiving competitive scholarships. This amount is still added with 37 other students as new scholarship recipients. "The students of the UGM Graduate School who receive the competitive scholarship come from courses, i.e. Geo Info, Master of Disaster Management, Master of Infrastructure Management and Community Development, or Transportation studies," he said.
Every student who continues their studies at UGM is obtaining competitive scholarship amounting of about 35 million rupiah up to the graduation. For students who followed the double degree program will receive more than 100 million rupiah because in addition to tuition, students are given allowance for travel expenses and living cost. "Students abroad can spend up to a year in the double degree program, thus much higher needs of scholarship, and the amount could reach hundreds of millions," he added.