For a year now, the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency has been accompanying the nation's children in bringing their dreams to life. Every moment and achievement attained in 2023 shines brightly in the LPDP service kaleidoscope, ensuring that the Million Hopes for the Bright Flame of Indonesia's Progress continue to ignite and grow.

The total accumulated principal funds managed by LPDP as of December 2023 amounted to Rp139.107 trillion. This includes the Education Endowment Fund (Rp111.1177 trillion), Research Endowment Fund (Rp12.99 billion), Higher Education Endowment Fund (Rp10 trillion), and Cultural Endowment Fund (Rp5 trillion).

LPDP scholarships enable young Indonesians to pursue higher education both domestically and abroad with comprehensive financial support from the state. In 2023, a total of 9,956 individuals were selected for LPDP scholarships. This number has increased almost sevenfold since LPDP first initiated its scholarship program back in 2013, when only 1,555 applicants were selected.

To create inclusive and equitable scholarships, LPDP has various scholarship programs tailored to the conditions and backgrounds of Indonesian society, such as the General Scholarship, Affirmative Scholarship, and Targeted Scholarship. These programs encompass numerous scholarship categories designed to facilitate and accommodate the diverse backgrounds of prospective participants.

In addition to native scholarships designed and conducted by LPDP, scholarships organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) are also funded by LPDP through the Collaboration Scholarship Program.

From 2020 to October 2023, 262,840 individuals received collaboration scholarships with Kemendikbudristek. Meanwhile, the recipients of collaboration scholarships with Kemenag amounted to 2,183 individuals from 2022 to October 2023.

Supporting Sustainable Innovative Research

Research funding has become a crucial LPDP service program in supporting a sustainable research ecosystem in Indonesia. The program known as Productive Innovative Research, abbreviated as RISPRO, aims to enhance the nation's competitiveness through the commercialization of products or technology, policy implementation, governance, and the publication of scientific research activities.

The RISPRO program was first launched by LPDP in 2013. To date, there have been a total of 2,492 ongoing research projects, with 1,568 projects ongoing and 924 projects completed, totaling a funding of Rp1.9117 trillion.

Various funding schemes under the RISPRO research program, whether collaborative or invitation-based, have engaged several stakeholders such as Kemendikbudristek, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and others based on agreements.

LPDP's research funding has significantly aided research and development across crucial sectors such as food, energy, health, governance/policy, awarding appreciation for research talent, among others. The recipients and researchers themselves come from academic institutions and collaborative research entities.

Moreover, the utilization of the Higher Education Endowment Fund (DAPT) has been allocated to 16 Legal Entity State Universities (PTNBH). The DAPT is utilized for various academic activities on campus such as organizing international webinars/conferences, establishing and strengthening World Class Universities (WCU), educational exhibitions, student exchanges, and other development programs. Currently, the total contract value for these 16 PTNBHs has reached Rp365.8 billion with ongoing multi-year disbursements.

Highlights Throughout 2023

Several significant events have marked LPDP's journey throughout 2023, from launching new scholarship programs, educational and research exhibitions, innovative service breakthroughs to receiving accolades for its achievements.

Starting in late January, LPDP and the National University of Singapore (NUS) collaborated to offer scholarships in the field of entrepreneurship. These scholarships were designated for Indonesian citizens to pursue a Master of Science in Venture Creation at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Enterprise.

The registration for LPDP Scholarships Phase 1 for 2023 commenced on January 25 and concluded on February 25. Similar to previous years, three types of scholarships were offered: general, affirmative, and targeted.

In March, LPDP initiated numerous events and breakthroughs. It began with the first offline Departure Preparation (PK) session in nearly three years due to the pandemic hiatus. The PK-199 Garda Asa cohort became the first to conduct all their preparatory activities at Discovery Ancol, North Jakarta.

During the second week of March, LPDP launched a new application called e-Scholarship, an innovative scholarship service application comprising SIPENDOB for administrative document processing and SIMONEV for monitoring study progress and disbursement needs. This integrated system significantly streamlined processes for awardees from registration to the completion of their studies.

In late March, LPDP received the PR Campaign of The Year award at the Public Relation Indonesia Awards (PRIA) 2023. The Gold Winner award was presented for the Digital Channel category, specifically for Instagram social media and the Digital PR Beasiswa LPDP subcategory. Additionally, LPDP's website, lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id, received the Silver Winner award in the Digital Channel Website subcategory.

April and May witnessed the launch of several new scholarship programs resulting from collaborations. LPDP partnered with the Indonesian Singers Songwriters Musicians Union (PAPPRI) to provide funding for scholarships and research grants for Indonesian musicians, aiming to enhance their resources and impact artistic creation.

June hosted LPDP Scholarship Phase 2 registration. Open from June 9 to July 9, participants could choose from the general, affirmative, or targeted scholarship programs.

In an effort to increase the number of new entrepreneurs in Indonesia, LPDP launched the 5ME2045: Business Competition 2023 program. Five Million Entrepreneurs (5ME) is LPDP's target to create five million entrepreneurs by 2045. The 2023 LPDP Business Competition aimed to nurture 5,000 young Indonesian entrepreneurs, targeting startup entrepreneurs and those with business ideas to compete and develop their innovations.

LPDP's support for enhancing the competencies of Indonesian doctors and accelerating the improvement of the national healthcare system materialized with the launch of the Specialist Doctor Fellowship Scholarship. This scholarship, a collaboration with the Ministry of Health, was primarily provided to study four diseases contributing to the highest mortality rates in Indonesia: heart diseases, strokes, urology and nephrology, or cancers.

As an appreciation for scientists, experts, or practitioners who contributed significantly to the advancement of science and technology, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) together with LPDP launched the Research and Innovation Talent Appreciation Program in June. A budget of Rp3.675 billion was allocated across five appreciation programs: Habibie Prize, Indonesia Innovator Award, Sarwono Award, Siwabessy Award, and Nurtanio Award.

Early August witnessed the grand LPDP Festival 2023, consisting of the LPDP Fair and Homecoming Alumni events. This gathering combined Edufair, Jobfair & Research Fair, culminating in inviting scholarship alumni to reconnect. The LPDP Fair was held at Mall Kota Kasablanka, attracting a total of 5,322 visitors who enjoyed various events during the LPDP Festival.

By the end of October, LPDP's official Instagram account, @LPDP_RI, reached one million followers. This achievement positioned LPDP as the first unit within the Ministry of Finance to achieve the highest number of Instagram followers. It motivated LPDP to continue providing informative and educational content to the wider public.

In commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day (Hakordia), LPDP's employees and directors visited Panggungharjo Village in Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, last November. The village had successfully fulfilled five anti-corruption village indicators, strengthening governance, supervision, public service quality, community participation, and local wisdom in supporting anti-corruption efforts.

LPDP's innovation in enhancing its services to its users was demonstrated through the introduction of a new feature, Online Customer Service. This service allows users to engage in video calls with LPDP's Customer Service, providing toll-free assistance via the internet.

In the final months of the year, LPDP received prestigious accolades as recognition for its service performance. LPDP earned two Top Digital Awards 2023: TOP DIGITAL Implementation 2023 #Star 4 (EXCELLENT) – 4 Stars and TOP Leader on Digital Implementation 2023 for LPDP's CEO, Andin Hadiyanto. These awards, the most prestigious annual awards in information technology in Indonesia, signify LPDP's modern, professional, and trustworthy information technology management.

Shortly after, LPDP achieved the Clean Bureaucracy Serving Integrity Zone (ZI WBBM) predicate directly awarded by the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PAN RB). The ZI WBBM award is bestowed upon 24 selected units from thousands across Indonesia, marking LPDP's commitment to integrity culture and delivering superior services to the public.

LPDP recently forged a genetic banana research agreement worth Rp84 billion with BRIN and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The first-phase funding in 2023 amounted to USD 2,257,536 or approximately Rp35 billion, received by LPDP. This research project aims to yield remarkable outcomes in global agriculture, particularly concerning bananas.

In conclusion, all the achievements throughout 2023 reflect LPDP's commitment to supporting the intellectual growth and socio-economic lives of the nation's children. As 2024 approaches, this journey is set to continue. The theme of the Bright Flame of Indonesia's Progress will endure, with a million hopes serving as pillars, inspiring individuals to pursue their dreams for a brighter future for Indonesia.