The Indonesian Government is opening the application for DARMASISWA for the year 2010/2011.

Darmasiswa is a scholarship program offered to all foreign students from countries which have diplomatic relationship with Indonesia to study Bahasa Indonesia, arts, music and crafts. Participants can choose one of 44 different universities located in different cities in Indonesia.

The Darmasiswa program which is organized by the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), was started in 1974 as part of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) initiative, admitting only students from ASEAN. However, in 1976 this program was extended to include students from other countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and USA. In early 90’s, this program was extended further to include all countries which have diplomatic relationship with Indonesia. Until to date, the number of countries participating in this program is more than 75 countries.

The main purpose of the Darmasiswa program is to promote and increase the interest in the language and culture of Indonesia among the youth of other countries. It has also been designed to provide stronger cultural links and understanding among participating countries.

Darmasiswa Program is conducted in 2 schemes, i.e :

1. One-year non-degree program
2. Six-month non-degree program

The Scholarship Covers

1. Exemption on tuition fee.
2. Allowance on living cost of Rp 1.000.000,00 (one milion rupiah) per month.
3. Clothing allowance; a once a year payment of Rp 300.000,00 (three hundred thousands rupiah).

The Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, MoNE, transfers the allowances for the participants every month through the University or College where they study. The participant is advised to bring enough money for an unexpected additional expenses in Indonesia, roughly around US$ 1.000.00 (a thousand US dollar) or its equivalent.

Qualifications of Applicants

The applicants shall:

1. ability to communicate in English
2. not more than 35 years of age
3. in good health as proved by medical certificate
4. have a basic knowledge of the field they’re applying for
5. at least completed secondary education or its equivalent

Procedure

After registering online, it’s a MUST for you to inform to the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate General to be legally approved. The applicants are allowed to apply for more than one Higher Education Institutions and submit their complete application forms and other documents to the Embassy or Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia where the applicants reside.

The documents of applicants who have been selected by the Indonesian Embassy will be submitted to the Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of National Education or the Directorate of Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed:

Head Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation
Secretariat General
Department of National Education
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman,
Senayan-Jakarta
Telp./Fax. (62-21) 5724707, 5738181, 5709445/46
Website: http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id
and mail to : darmasiswa_pkln@diknas.go.id

or

Director of Public Diplomacy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Jalan Taman Pejambon No. 6
Jakarta
Telp. (62-21) 3813480
Fax. (62-21) 3858035

For further information, please contact us at pensosbud@indonesia-oslo.no.