Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, has called for greater flexibility in the rules governing the prestigious Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) scholarship program.
Satryo stated that scholarship recipients should not be strictly required to return to Indonesia after completing their studies abroad. Allowing graduates to build careers internationally while still upholding Indonesia’s reputation on the global stage.
The LPDP scholarship, funded by the Indonesian government under the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), supports postgraduate students through domestic and international programs. It is known for enabling Indonesian youth to study at top universities around the world. Traditionally, scholarship recipients have been expected to return to Indonesia upon graduation to contribute their knowledge and skills to the nation’s development.
However, Satryo, following a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 5, expressed his view on this condition. “It’s not mandatory, as we cannot force them to come back,” Satryo remarked.
He explained that LPDP graduates should have the freedom to work wherever their expertise is most valued, whether at a reputable company or in a world-class research facility abroad.
“If they make an innovation in a prestigious lab overseas, we can still claim that as an Indonesian achievement. It still reflects the red and white [Indonesian flag],” he said.
Satryo assured that there would be no penalties for LPDP recipients who choose not to return to Indonesia and emphasized that there is no specific regulation under LPDP that mandates graduates to come back home after completing their studies.
The minister expressed empathy for outstanding graduates who may find limited opportunities to fully develop their potential within Indonesia.
“We do not yet have enough places for them to thrive. It would be unfair to force them to return only to face constraints. It’s better for them to continue their work abroad while still representing Indonesia,” he said.
“Someday, we might see an Indonesian Nobel laureate based in the United States, and that’s perfectly fine. Achievements can happen anywhere, as long as they carry the red and white with pride,” he added.
The LPDP Scholarship Program
The LPDP scholarship is a highly coveted opportunity in Indonesia, funding thousands of postgraduate students each year. The program is open to all Indonesian citizens, providing full financial support for master’s and doctoral programs both domestically and internationally.
Kemendiktisaintek Deputy Minister Stella Christie recently stated that the Ministry plans to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the LPDP program to ensure that funds are optimally allocated to support Indonesia’s educational development.
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According to LPDP Director General Andin Hadiyanto, as of the end of May 2024, 45.577 individuals have benefited from the scholarship since its inception in 2013. The number of applicants has continued to grow, with 33.337 submissions recorded in 2023. During the first selection round of 2024, 20.210 applications were received.
So far, LPDP has facilitated the postgraduate education of thousands of Indonesians abroad. By mid-2024, the program had already supported 288 doctoral candidates and 1.465 master’s candidates in pursuing international studies.
Satryo’s call for flexibility has sparked discussions about the broader implications of Indonesia’s LPDP scholarship policies. His vision of enabling LPDP recipients to contribute globally aligns with the program’s mission: “To be an internationally recognized fund management institution that prepares competitive human resources and fosters innovation for a prosperous, democratic, and just Indonesia.”
The policy shift could pave the way for more Indonesian scholars to build influential careers abroad while maintaining strong ties to their home country and contributing to its global reputation.
(Raidi/Agung)
