Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Retrieved from Antara, The Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has announced a new opportunity for Indonesian scholarship recipients currently studying in the United States (US) to transfer to leading universities abroad, including those in the UK.
In a statement on Monday, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie revealed that the initiative follows a recent discussion between President Prabowo Subianto, ministry officials, and representatives from the Russell Group, a network of 24 prestigious universities in the UK.
“I requested that they consider accommodating our students from the US by allowing them to transfer to the UK, and they have agreed to this proposal,” Christie explained.
The transfer option is available to 45 students who have received the Beasiswa Indonesia Maju (Advanced Indonesia Scholarship, BIM) and the 2025 Garuda Scholarship, all of whom were accepted into US universities this year.
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However, Christie emphasized that the decision to transfer remains entirely up to the students.
“We are offering them the choice of whether they wish to transfer or not,” she said.
This move is in response to the recent actions of the US government, which has halted student visa appointments and suspended new visa applications for international students, including those seeking to study in the US.
“Currently, the US has suspended visa appointments for students, including for exchange programs,” Christie added.
Alongside the UK transfer options, Christie also reassured that local state universities are ready to welcome Indonesian students from the US.
“Nearly all of our leading state universities are open to this option,” she remarked.
Earlier in May, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its US representative, provided consular support for 87 Indonesian students who were affected by the US government’s restrictions on foreign student enrollment, including at prestigious institutions like Harvard University. (BL)