Kaimana, Friday, 6 February 2026 – The Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) continues to expand access to higher education opportunities across Eastern Indonesia. In collaboration with Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Administrasi Asy-Syafi'iyah Kampus II Kaimana, LPDP held a public seminar on the 2026 Phase 1 scholarship policy at SMA Negeri 1 Kaimana on Friday (6/2).
The seminar aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest impact-driven scholarship schemes, particularly for applicants from Affirmation Regions and Indigenous Papuans (OAP). The initiative aligns with Indonesia’s Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, which emphasizes strengthening human capital in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
LPDP’s Head of Scholarship Services Division, Gendro Hartono, accompanied by the Head of Recruitment and Selection Subdivision, Sri Resmawati, attended in person to present the 2026 policy updates. In his remarks, Gendro underscored the importance of mastering strategic fields to support regional development.
“We encourage the young people of Kaimana to seize this opportunity, particularly in STEM and Strategic Industries, which are now prioritized with a minimum allocation of 80 percent,” said Gendro Hartono.
On the same occasion, Sri Resmawati elaborated on the technical aspects of the application process, highlighting that applicants from the Affirmation and OAP categories benefit from several policy flexibilities. These include more lenient age requirements, lower minimum GPA thresholds, and reduced English proficiency score requirements compared to the general track. She also reminded participants to be meticulous in completing administrative requirements to minimize errors, noting that Phase 1 registration for 2026 opened on 22 January and will close on 23 February 2026.
The event was further enriched by testimonials from scholarship awardees originating from Kaimana. dr. Nur Rikzatul Luluk Furu, a medical doctor who previously served in remote areas of Kaimana, shared her story virtually from the United States. She is currently pursuing a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard University.
In her message, dr. Lulu referenced Masaru Emoto’s philosophy of water crystals to illustrate the power of positive intention and mindset in achieving one’s dreams. “Papuan youth must dare to try and strive. When we hold good intentions and strong determination, the path to the world’s top universities will open,” she said.
Also present was Yohanis Pieter Raubaba, an LPDP awardee pursuing a Master’s degree in Remote Sensing at Universitas Gadjah Mada, who shared insights from his scholarship selection journey.
Despite coinciding with the public holiday commemorating the Arrival of the Gospel in the Land of Papua, participant enthusiasm remained high. More than 80 attendees—including students, lecturers, civil servants, and members of the public—filled the venue.
In his opening remarks, Arianto Liwang, S.Pd., M.Si., Head of the Public Administration Study Program at STIA Asy-Syafi’iyah, expressed appreciation for LPDP’s proactive outreach to Kaimana. He hopes the seminar will inspire local youth to pursue master’s and doctoral studies, both domestically and internationally.
