Indonesia and Qatar Cooperate to Provide Scholarships for Afghan Students

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater have signed an MoU.

IDXChannel - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Provision of Scholarships for Afghan Students to study at universities in Indonesia. 

The signing of this Memorandum was done virtually on Thursday (17/10/2024).

This Memorandum will be the basis for scholarship cooperation for Afghan students in several universities in Indonesia, funded by Qatar. The signing of this MoU will enable more Afghan students to pursue higher education at selected universities in Indonesia.

In her remarks, Retno said that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has increased the importance of access to education, especially for Afghan women.

“By providing opportunities for Afghan students to study in Indonesia, we will help increase their capacity, not only academically, but build their resilience and also their hope to rebuild their nation," she said in amedia release.

The scholarship award is not the first cooperation between Indonesia and Qatar in promoting access to education for Afghanistan. Previously, Indonesia and Qatar had agreed on a Letter of Interest for the provision of humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

“Currently, more than 20 Afghan students have received scholarships and are studying in Indonesia. We are very pleased to launch this strategic cooperation through the Indonesia-Qatar scholarship collaboration, with Qatar as the main donor," Retno said.

In addition to education, some of Indonesia's efforts and assistance for Afghanistan include: the provision of 10 million doses of polio vaccine for Afghan children this year; humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people affected by natural disasters; psychosocial workshops to help 400 Afghan women face the challenges of social life. In addition, Indonesia has also committed to helping develop a sharia microfinance business model suitable for Afghanistan, to open up more employment opportunities through household enterprises.

"Politics should not get in the way of our solidarity for Afghanistan, and above politics, humanity must come first," Retno said, closing her speech. (Wahyu Dwi Anggoro)