The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology plans to increase scholarship quotas for international students in 2026 to bolster education diplomacy. The number of TIA Scholarship recipients will rise from 175 to 250. This initiative encourages Indonesian universities to expand global partnerships.
In Jakarta, Mukhamad Najib, Director of Institutions at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), stated that the government will continue to increase the number of scholarship recipients and expand university collaborations. "Next year, the number of TIA Scholarship (The Indonesian Aid) recipients will be increased from 175 to 250 international students. We also encourage public and private universities in Indonesia to expand scholarship offers for foreign students," he said on Tuesday.
Wakil Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains, dan Teknologi (Wamendiktisaintek) Stella Christie emphasized education's role as a diplomacy tool. "These scholarships are not just learning opportunities but bridges for intercultural understanding that strengthen international cooperation. Through education, we foster mutual trust and global solidarity," she said. She added, "Education is our best diplomacy. Through the exchange of knowledge and culture, Indonesia aims to build a future world that understands and respects each other."
Meanwhile, Wakil Menteri Luar Negeri (Wamenlu) Arif Havas Oegroseno described education diplomacy as Indonesia's contribution to inclusive global development. "Education diplomacy is a tangible form of Indonesia's commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation. Through education, we build future networks that mutually empower," he stated.
In the background, Indonesia has run the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (IACS) program since 2003. This targets young people aged 18 to 30 from various countries, running in July-August each year, and has engaged over 1,000 alumni from 85 countries across five continents. The government commits to expanding reach to the Pacific, Africa, South Asia, and Europe to strengthen people-to-people ties through cultural approaches.