Jakarta — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has officially approved the transfer of funding for 37 Papua students—previously financed through the Papua Provincial Government scholarship program—to the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP). The decision aims to ensure the continuation of their studies abroad after they were affected by delays in scholarship disbursement.
The information was delivered by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian following a limited meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday (November 24, 2025). The meeting was also attended by Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
Tito explained that the government is currently monitoring around 300 Papua students pursuing higher education overseas, with 56 of them experiencing serious issues due to late scholarship payments from the Papua Provincial Government.
“If I’m not mistaken, there are more than 300 of them—some in the United States, Australia, and other countries. Based on our data, 56 students still have pending payments, and the disbursement from the provincial government has often been delayed,” Tito said.
To prevent further disruption to their studies, the government decided that funding for the 37 most affected students will be immediately transferred to LPDP.
“Instead of prolonging the process and risking the students’ academic continuity, I advised that the funding be taken over by the Minister of Finance through LPDP. The President agreed—these 37 students will now be funded by LPDP,” he explained.
Tito added that complete data on the affected students will soon be submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure administrative procedures can proceed promptly and accurately.
“I will immediately forward the data to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Tito concluded.
