Gov’t Provides Scholarships for Students in Quake-Hit NTB Province

President Jokowi symbolically hands over scholarships to students affected by the quake, at the Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport, Central Lombok Regency, Thursday (18/10). (Photo by: BPMI)

The Indonesian Government provides scholarships for 5,144 college students affected by the quake in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Thursday (18/10) symbolically handed over the scholarships to seven college students at the courtyard of Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

On that occasion, the President reminded the students that challenges ahead would be even tougher, as the world has entered the fourth industrial revolution with changes 3,000 times faster than those in the first one.

“It means very rapid changes are inevitable. We’ve just learned about Artificial Intelligence, and then there is the Internet of Things, Cryptocurrency, virtual reality, and Bitcoin. New things will continue to come,” the President said, adding that the students should prepare themselves to face this fierce global competition.

However, the President expressed belief that with their skills and capabilities, the students will be able to compete in the competition and become the winners. The President also expressed hope that the students can continue their studies until they graduate.

“Do not let the earthquake prevent you all from studying,” the President said.

In the meantime, Director General of Learning and College Student Affairs of Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education Intan Ahmad reported that education assistance to 5,144 disaster-affected students in NTB Province comprises 2,195 Bidik Misi (Targeted Mission) scholarships and 2,949 Improved Academic Achievement (PPA) scholarships.

Based on the area of study, the scholarships are provided for 4,275 students who study at University of Mataram and 34 students who study at private universities in the province, as well as 869 NTB students who are currently studying at 74 both state or private universities in other places in Indonesia.

As of 17 October 2018, a total of 3,357 students have received scholarships in the form of savings, while the disbursement of scholarships for the remaining 1,787 students is expected in late October this year.

In addition to education assistance, Intan added that the Ministry also provides assistance to develop online education for universities in the province and the same assistance will also be provided for students affected by the quake and the tsunami in Palu, Donggala, and Sigi in Central Sulawesi province.

“We hope the students will become excellent, tough graduates with characters and who care about socio-cultural and environmental issues,” she concluded. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat) (MUR/EP/YM/Naster).