United States Awards Scholarships for Thirty-Six Indonesians to Receive Advanced Degrees

Iftar reception to send-off 36 USAID scholar awardees
U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affairs Kristen Bauer (6th from right) and USAID Indonesia Mission Director Andrew Sisson (4th from right) with USAID scholarship recipients at the send-off iftar reception.
U.S. Embassy Jakarta

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Janice Laurente
622134359424

JAKARTA - Thirty-six Indonesians received scholarships administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to pursue advanced degrees in the United States.  On July 23, the scholars attended a send-off iftar reception in Jakarta hosted by the U.S. Embassy's Charge d'Affairs Kristen Bauer.

"I am proud to congratulate these scholarship winners today," Bauer said.  "Graduate study in the United States is a unique and rewarding experience, and one that will enrich the lives of these scholars tremendously."

The scholarship recipients were chosen from more than 1,360 applicants from across Indonesia for their high academic performance, professional experience, and dedication to improving the lives of others in Indonesia.  They will pursue degrees in the fields of economics, law, public policy, political science, public administration, environment, health, and education.

"We know that upon graduating from their masters and doctorate programs, these individuals will return to Indonesia to contribute to the nation's advancement and prosperity," added Bauer. USAID scholarship programs in Indonesia help individuals, organizations, and institutions acquire the knowledge, skills, and capacity to support Indonesia's on-going development.

The scholarships have been made possible through the generous support of the American people and provided through three USAID scholarship programs: Program to Extend Scholarships and Training to Achieve Sustainable Impact (PRESTASI), a $25 million program that provided 30 scholarships this year; Educating and Equipping Tomorrow's Justice Reformers (E2J), a program which provides scholarships for lawyers and others in the justice sector; and the U.S.-Indonesia Teacher Education Consortium which provides training for educators.

The scholarships and other U.S. education programs are part of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, a commitment made by Presidents Barack Obama and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2010 to increase cooperation and deepen ties between the two nations.