JAYAPURA - The mindset of the younger generation of Indigenous Papuans (OAP) must be revolutionized. If nowadays most young people are still thinking about working by serving as a Civil Servant (PNS), National Armed Force / Police and others, then it is time to look at the private sector and entrepreneurship.

The invitation was conveyed by Ruth Somisu and Desi Esema, recipients of educational scholarships from the Papua Provincial Government who had completed their studies at Western Michigan University (WMU) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States in 2020.

"We invite young Papuans to come forward. Building Papua does not have to be a civil servant, because currently the opportunities and economic potential of Papua in the entrepreneurial private sector are very large," said Ruth, a lecturer in business and entrepreneur class at the Swadiri Bio Science College (STBS), Jayapura, Saturday night (11/ June/2022), as released by the editor.

Ruth and Desi are currently joining the Papuan Young Entrepreneurs Association (GARAP). The two together with the founders and mentors at GARAP embraced young Papuans to jointly open up new economic opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector.

"I got a scholarship in 2015 and participated in debriefing and coaching at Jakarta International College (JIC) for 10 months  and started attending college in 2017 in America majoring in aviation management and operations. Currently, together with the founders of GARAP, we are educating young Papuans to open up entrepreneurial opportunities," said Desi Esema, from Yahukimo.

Both of them appreciated the policy of the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, SIP, MH who was concerned about building indigenous Papuan Human Resources (HR) through scholarship programs for students studying at home country and abroad.

According to Ruth, this scholarship program must receive priority attention from the Central Government and the Papua Provincial Government because it really helps the Papuan generation in receiving education at various levels of study.

"This scholarship program is very good. Today it may not be seen, but 10 years to 20 years later the impact is definitely positive,'' Ruth said.

Desi admitted that by getting a scholarship from the Papua Provincial Government and studying in America, she gained a lot of experience as an international student. In addition to the knowledge gained, students from Papua were also educated by experts and foreign lecturers with high disciplines.

"I got a lot of amazing things and experiences while studying abroad besides science. We gained experience being taught by experts with high discipline. I hope that the scholarship program for Papuan students must continue for the sake of changing the Land of Papua" said Desi.

Ruth and Desi also invited Papuan students at various universities at home and abroad to really study on time so that they could return to the country to build Papua.

"The opportunity to go to college only comes once, so we invite students who are still in college to focus on studying so that they graduate on time and get back to build Papua," said Ruth.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), Aryoko AF Rumaropen, SP, M.Eng appreciated the Papuan students who had completed their studies on time and are currently returning to Papua to help the government open up new business opportunities.

The Papua Provincial Government, said Aryoko, remains committed to building Papuans human resources in order to build a more advanced future for the Land of Papua.

"Governor Lukas Enembe pays special attention to Papuan human resources. He is very concerned about building Papua through education," said Aryoko.

Ruth Somisu, from Tanah Merah, Jayapura Regency is a Papuan provincial government scholarship recipient who graduated from bachelor program at Corban University majoring in Mathematics and completed master degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham business administration study program.

Desi Esema, from Yahukimo completed her bachelor course at Western Michigan University (WMU) majoring in Aircraft Business and Operations. ***