Banda Aceh, 4 February 2026 – The Opening Seminar of the 2026 LPDP Scholarship Program was held in the Serambi Mekkah, the nickname of Aceh Province located at the westernmost tip of Sumatra. The event took place at Universitas Syiah Kuala on 4 February 2026, from 09.00 to 12.00 WIB.

The seminar was attended by 250 participants who joined the event in person. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Head of the Aceh Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM Aceh), Marthunis, S.T., D.E.A., and the Rector of Universitas Syiah Kuala, Prof. Dr. Ir. Marwan. The main presentations of the Opening Seminar of the 2026 LPDP Scholarship Program were delivered by the Director of LPDP Scholarships, Dwi Larso, and the Head of the Scholarship Development Subdivision, Hentri Wibowo.

Participants showed strong enthusiasm for LPDP’s presence and the wide range of scholarship programs offered. This was evident from the active engagement and numerous questions raised during the discussion and question-and-answer session. In 2026, LPDP focuses on accelerating talent development, industrialization, and advancing Indonesia toward its Vision 2045. The 2026 LPDP Scholarship schemes support a talent-based ecosystem through the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and SHARE (Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts for People, Religious Studies, and Economics) programs, in line with the President’s Asta Cita, which prioritizes eight strategic industries and supporting ecosystems.

The seminar was attended by Vice Rectors, Deans, Directors of Graduate Schools, Heads of Technical Implementation Units (UPT), representatives of Mata Garuda Aceh, students of Universitas Syiah Kuala, representatives from BPSDM Aceh, and members of the general public.

Registration for the Stage I Selection of the 2026 LPDP Scholarship Program has been open from 22 January to 23 February 2026 for both domestic and overseas study programs. A wide range of scholarship schemes is available under the STEM and SHARE categories, including affirmative action schemes, top university schemes, CPNS/PNS/TNI/POLRI schemes, and partial funding schemes. In addition, LPDP also offers partnership (co-funding) programs, double degree programs, and joint degree programs.