Ambassador Phillip Gibson explained that the New Zealand’s Education Minister has endorsed the awarding of the scholarships as a token showing the government’s concern for education in Indonesia. Actually, every year since 2005, the New Zealand government has invited two students to continue their studies at universities in the former British colony. This year, because of the ever improving performance of Indonesian students, the quota for the scholarships has risen to three.

“Our bilateral relations with Indonesia in the area of education is very positive. The funds for university tuition will be at the service of the New Zealand government, whereas the Sampoerna Foundation will cover other expenses, moreover, the performance of scholarsip recipients from Indonesia is something to be proud of. Such active participation from various parties is what makes us want to continue to support  Indonesia’s education. “  Mr. Gibson added during the informal discussion session.

In the case of Indonesia, the number of upper secondary school students that continue onto higher education remains low. According to 2005/2006 data from the Ministry of National Education, 1,060,970 students are unable to continue their education, or only around 37% of high school graduates get the university experience.

“Increasing access to higher education for Indonesian children will have a direct effect on the quality of human resources in Indonesia. The Human Development Index (HDI) of Indonesia for the year 2007 is at 105, well below the majority of ASEAN countries. Drastic measures are needed to change this situation,” Ronal Perkinson, President of Sampoerna Foundation said of the corellation between education and human resource quality in Indonesia.

The three scholarship recipients are high achievers from three renowned Indonesian universities who have demonstrated financial need. According to one of them, M. Ikhsan Putrawan, a student of the Engineering Faculty at Universitas Indonesia “It is an extremely valuable experience to have the opportunity to continue ones studies without placing financial burdens on our parents. Moreover, the chance to study abroad makes this even more special.”

Ikhsan and the other two scholarship recipients, namely Bayu Nugraha, a student of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya, and Qurrotun Ayun, a student of Universitas Airlangga Surabaya, have undergone a series of tests and selection stages, while beating hundreds of other candidates in the process. The three outstanding scholars will depart for New Zealand at the end of July to pursue their degrees at the University of Auckland.

Towards the closing of the event, Ayun said “One of the nicest things about getting this chance at quality education is that it empowers us to reach our goal of enhancing human resources quality in Indonesia.