Kefamenanu, January 10, 2024 - Ever heard of Kefamenanu? For some people, it might sound unfamiliar. Understandably, this small town is part of North Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, far from the spotlight.

The town can be reached in four to five hours from the central city of Kupang and is only half an hour's journey from the border crossing between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. From the town's perspective, we believe there are the best sons and daughters with outstanding human resources deserving of the best higher education.

To further amplify the good news about the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) Scholarship, LPDP has directly reached Kefamenanu. Taking place at Timor University (UNIMOR) "Border Campus," LPDP Scholarship Director Dwi Larso and the team approached, bringing good news with the theme "LPDP 2024 Scholarship Opening Seminar: Achieve Dreams with LPDP for Indonesia" on Wednesday (10/1) last week.

UNIMOR Rector, Dr. Stefanus Sio, M.P, appreciated and warmly welcomed the LPDP team's presence in Kefamenanu as a manifestation of the government's commitment and concern for human resource development, especially in the disadvantaged affirmation areas in various aspects.

"Here we are, UNIMOR campus in the border region that needs attention for human resource development because, with human resource development, we at the border also want to contribute something to Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, Dwi Larso explained that the potential of young people in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is not inferior to other regions in Indonesia. There have been 1,558 LPDP scholarship recipients from NTT who have proven this. While the number seems significant, it is still far behind.

"When compared with neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, the ratio of the number of Master's and Doctorate degrees to the productive population is 2.43%, while in Indonesia, it is only about 0.49%. Moreover, if we break it down for NTT, the figure could be much smaller, so LPDP scholarships need to encourage the interest of NTT youth to catch up," explained Dwi Larso.

The LPDP Scholarship Director also introduced various scholarship programs offered this year along with their requirements. There is also a Targeted Priority Program that will be opened in the selection for 2024.

Not only did the participants listen to the Director's selection policy presentation, but the LPDP team also provided a direct simulation of the registration process to make participants more familiar with and understand the step-by-step application process.

Approximately 211 participants attended the event, dominated by academics, literacy communities, government representatives, and the general public of Kefamenanu and its surroundings.

The explanation about the LPDP Scholarship sparked high enthusiasm among the participants. Ten people participated in the Q&A session with various questions answered directly by the LPDP Scholarship Director.

Two LPDP Alumni who are now also UNIMOR lecturers, Hermina Disnawati and Pius A.L. Berek, were also present to provide testimonials on how LPDP had helped realize their dreams and improve their lives. (dim/ton)