Jakarta, May 18, 2024 -- Higher education stands as a vital indicator of a nation's progress, directly linked to the enhancement of human resources and economic opportunities. According to the National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas) from Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics, there was a notable decline in the percentage of high school graduates continuing to higher education, dropping to 52.65% in March 2023. In response to this pressing issue, the Alliance of State-Owned Enterprise Universities (APERTI BUMN), comprising seven higher education institutions affiliated with state-owned enterprises (SOEs), has once again launched its scholarship program for high school graduates across Indonesia.
Introduction to the APERTI Scholarship
The seven institutions participating in this initiative include Telkom University (Tel-U), Pertamina University, Semen Indonesia International University (UISI), PLN Institute of Technology (IT PLN), International Logistics and Business University (ULBI), Telkom Purwokerto Institute of Technology (ITT Purwokerto), and Semen Indonesia Polytechnic.
The primary goal of this scholarship program is to provide access to high-quality higher education, encouraging students who aspire to pursue university education and thus contribute to producing a generation of high-quality individuals.
The commitment of the universities under APERTI BUMN to ensure inclusive and equitable educational quality, and to enhance lifelong learning opportunities for all, aligns with the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of promoting quality education.
APERTI's commitment is evident through its consistent provision of scholarships and high-standard education. From 2019 to 2023, the number of applicants for the APERTI BUMN scholarship reached 189,557, with 229 students receiving the award.
Professor Adiwijaya, Chairman of APERTI BUMN and Rector of Telkom University, emphasized that the APERTI BUMN scholarships, established in 2021, represent a collective commitment to providing access to higher education for all societal layers.
"We are committed to ensuring that higher education is accessible to all segments of society. This scholarship aims to increase the number of students who can benefit from higher education," he stated.
Professor Adiwijaya further elaborated that the APERTI BUMN 2024 scholarship recipients would receive full scholarships until graduation.
"With this scholarship, we aim to foster a generation of excellence for Indonesia and the world. This aligns with the scholarship's objective to advance education in preparing and managing a progressive Indonesia," he added.
