- Indonesia to increase The Indonesian Aid scholarship recipients from 175 to 250 international students in 2026.
- Ministry officials highlight education as a key tool for diplomacy, intercultural understanding, and South-South cooperation.
- The move builds on the success of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (IACS), which has over 1,000 alumni from 85 countries since 2003.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of Indonesia has decided to increase scholarship opportunities for international students in order to improve the quality and internationalization of higher education. This was stated by the Director of Institutional Affairs at the Ministry, Mukhamad Najib, in Jakarta. The government is committed to increasing the number of recipients of scholarships and to further developing international academic partnerships.
“Next year, the number of recipients of The Indonesian Aid scholarship will increase from 175 to 250 international students. We are also encouraging both public and private universities in Indonesia to expand their scholarship opportunities for foreign students”, he said.
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Stella Christie, stressed the strategic role of education and culture as instruments of diplomacy. These scholarships are more than academic opportunities; they are bridges to intercultural understanding that strengthen international cooperation. It is through education that mutual trust and global solidarity are fostered.
The Deputy Minister also reiterated Indonesia's commitment to opening its doors to learners from the rest of the world. "Education is our most effective form of diplomacy. The exchange of knowledge and culture is how Indonesia seeks to help shape a future built on mutual respect and understanding", she continued.
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Echoing this, the Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno accentuated that the international collaboration in higher education also falls within Indonesia's contribution to a more inclusive global development. "Educational diplomacy is a tangible expression of Indonesia's commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation. Through education, we are building a future-oriented network of mutual empowerment", he said.
Indonesia has long promoted cultural diplomacy through the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship, or IACS, a flagship program launched in 2003. As such, the program invites 18- to 30-year-olds from all over the world to immerse themselves in Indonesian arts, culture, and community life during the annual July-August two-month program.
Thus far, the IACS program has had over 1,000 alumni from 85 countries in five continents and has been an important instrument for people-to-people contact through cultural exchange. The Indonesian government is committed to increasing the reach of its scholarship programs, making it attractive for students from the Pacific, Africa, and South Asia, as well as Europe.
