Papuan leaders support sending children to study abroad

Senior Papuan figure Michael Manufandu fully supports the government's program to continue sending native Papuan sons and daughters to continue their education abroad in an effort to accelerate the development of superior human resources (HR) in Indonesia's easternmost province.

"I see that the affirmation program in the field of education by sending Papuan children with the potential to study abroad is very important," said Manufandu when contacted by Antara from Timika, Wednesday.

He added that the results have been felt now where there are so many Papuan children studying abroad such as in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, in Europe and other countries. Many of them are good.

The former Indonesian Ambassador to Colombia said that he was currently being asked for help by the DPD RI to become a liaison in the program for sending Papuan students to study abroad.

Participants who can take part in the program, he said, must have mastery of English with a minimum TOEFL test requirement of 4.5 and a Grade Point Average (GPA) of more than 3.00 and have completed undergraduate education.

"Those who meet the requirements can submit applications through Professor Indroyono, we are ready to provide recommendations. If they meet the requirements, the government will send them to study abroad, whether in any country," he said.

Manufandu, who has served as an adviser to the Indonesian government for Papua affairs for a long time, admitted that on several occasions when he was on a trip abroad, he met and discussed with Papuan students.

"I once gave lectures to Papuan students in New Zealand, in Australia. There are lots of them," he said.

With good quality education abroad, Manufandu hopes that students will take advantage of this rare opportunity to gain and absorb a lot of science and technology that is advancing rapidly to prepare them for when they return to Indonesia after completing their studies.

"With a good education, they will certainly be more rational and professional than emotional. Unless they are involved in other situations. Children must realize that the education they receive abroad is to build their future which is far more promising. so that he really becomes a professional in his field," said the former Jayapura Administrative Mayor.

He added that job opportunities were very wide open for Papuan children who completed their education abroad with proud achievements. They can apply to work as civil servants or become professionals in private companies at home and abroad, BUMN employees or are expected to become entrepreneurs who are able to create their own jobs.

"If you are in high school, there is no need to depend on the government or rely on the mercy of the government. With the knowledge you have gained, feel free to work anywhere, whether you are civil servants, BUMN employees, may work in national private companies or foreign private companies. countries like PT Freeport or they can create their own businesses. Because the knowledge they get abroad shapes their character to become professionals in their fields," he said.

Currently, he said, the Ministry of BUMN is opening vacancies for 1,000 young professionals to be able to work in various BUMN companies. This opportunity can also be used by potential indigenous Papuan children.

If previously the study abroad program for indigenous Papuan children was sent by the Papua Provincial Government using Special Autonomy (Otsus) funds, in the future it will be taken over by the DPD, no longer through the Otsus program.

However, he said, other opportunities are open through district/city governments in Papua to be able to send indigenous Papuan children to study abroad through education funds received by each region.

In addition to the local government, the opportunity to study abroad for indigenous Papuan children can also be through a partnership fund provided by PT Freeport Indonesia for the empowerment of the seven tribes in Mimika Regency, where the fund is now managed by the Amungme and Kamoro Community Empowerment Foundation (YPMAK). ).

"As far as I know Freeport also has a scholarship program for children from seven tribes in Mimika to continue their studies, not only junior high school, high school and domestic universities, even to continue their studies abroad. There are also children who are funded by Freeport for study. abroad, especially the children of Freeport employees themselves," he said.

He hopes that the scholarship funds prepared by the government and the private sector for the education of indigenous Papuan children to be able to continue their education abroad are really used as well as possible to improve the quality of Papuan human resources who are ready to use and competitive in an era full of challenges. with fierce competition in all fields today.

SOURCE : https://papua.antaranews.com/berita/675317/character-papua-support-pengiriman-putra-putri-studi-di-luar-negeri