Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Presidential Staff Office, is collaborating to provide Rp3.8 billion (US$222 thousand) in scholarship funds for high-achieving athletes.
In the initial phase, the scholarships will be granted to 200 outstanding athletes.
“President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that priority be given to athletes, particularly those who have achieved significant success,” said Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Togar M. Simatupang, in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He explained that the scholarship program is not only a government initiative to support athletes’ education but also a way to enable them to continue contributing to national development.
The program is designed to help athletes prepare for post-retirement careers by equipping them with new skills and knowledge acquired during their studies, he added.
“They can remain part of the national athlete ecosystem by training, inspiring, or coaching others, as well as taking on various other roles within the sports community,” Simatupang remarked.
On the same occasion, Acting Deputy III of the Presidential Staff Office, Syska Hutagalung, emphasized that the scholarship reflects the president’s commitment to improving athletes’ quality of life.
Undergraduate scholarships will be funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, while postgraduate scholarships will be financed by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Taufik Hidayat, expressed optimism that athlete development should extend beyond the field and be supported by quality education to prepare them for life after sports.
He expressed hope that the program would serve as a bridge for the younger generation to balance academic and athletic excellence while fostering a culture of sportsmanship both on the field and in higher education.
“Athletes who have brought honor to the nation deserve the opportunity to advance through higher education. This aligns with the spirit of developing superior human resources who embody intellectual, physical, and moral excellence,” Hidayat said.
