JAYAPURA - For the continuation of the study of Papuan students abroad, the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, SIP, MH last week ordered the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of Papua Province to complete the arrears of tuition fee and living cost of 355 Papuan students in five countries.

It has been paid using the Papua Provincial Government Reserve Fund allocated this year amounting to IDR300 billion.

"After waiting for Special Autonomy funds for 4 months has not been realized, the Governor took a policy of completing the arrears of tuition fee and living cost of Papuan students in 5 countries. The governor through the Regional Secretary has ordered BPSDM to prepare administrative documents for payment," said Head of BPSDM Papua, Aryoko AF Rumaropen, SP, M.Eng in his statement to the press, Tuesday evening (26/4/2022) at BPSDM office, Kotaraja, Jayapura city, Papua.

Rumaropen explained that the payment of tuition fee and living cost for 355 students has been paid since Friday, April 22, 2022. The 355 Papuan students consist of 204 students in the United States, 68 students in Australia, 7 students in Japan, 17 students in Canada and 59 students in New Zealand.

"So a total of 355 students from bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, as well as professional and vocational students. The payment uses reserve funds that must be approved by the DPRP," he said.

The payment of tuition fee and living cost of 355 students was made via Bank Mandiri in stages. On Friday 22, April 2022 delivery was made for students located in Japan, then on Monday, April 25, 2022 payment was made for students in New Zealand.

"Then Tuesday, April 26, 2022, following payments for students in Australia and Wednesday, April 27, 2022 for students in America. We hope that this week all the payment of tuition fee and living cost of 355 students for 4 months from January to April 2022 has been completed," he said.

On this occasion, the Head of BPSDM reminded all Papuan students who received scholarships from the Papua Provincial Government who actively studied at home and abroad to routinely report the results of their studies.

"For anticipation, we ask Papuan students at home and abroad to actively report their study results to BPSDM.  Because the basis of payment of their living cost is in accordance with his study report.  Each student's report also makes it easier for BPSDM to monitor study results and academic progress. Likewise, if there are academic and financial constraints can be handled immediately, "explained Aryoko.

Meanwhile, regarding the 142 Papuan students who will be repatriated for not completing their studies on time, the Head of BPSDM said that until today there have been 13 students who have returned home and are in Jayapura. Another 129 students are still in the United States, Australia, the Philippines and Canada.

Aryoko emphasized that the students must go home, because the study contract period has been completed. "They have to go home with transcripts of grades so that the government can find out their academic results. So that the government knows that 6 years or 8 years or 9 years while they are abroad, there are study results or academic results," said Rumaropen. ***