Jakarta, Wednesday (3 September 2008) -- Four hundred fifty foreign university students from various countries participate in Darmasiswa scholarship program 2008/2009 from Indonesian government. They will learn Indonesian language and culture at various universities in Indonesia. This scholarship program is intended to promote and enhance interests against Indonesian language and culture among youth from other countries.

The Darmasiswa program is implemented into two schemes namely six months and one year schemes. The six months scheme is started from September 2008 up to January 2009, while the one year program is started from September 2008 up to July 2009. These students will follow program orientation from 3 - 5 September 2008 at Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park (TMII) in Jakarta.

The Minister of National Education Bambang Sudibyo said, the Ministry of National Education is committed to build friendship with various countries. This commitment, said the Minister of National Education, is contributed to realize world peace. "Darmasiswa program is one of ways to realize this commitment. I believe that this one year program will provide broader opportunity for culture exchange and understanding between the participants, including lecturer, tutor, students' families and even the surrounding communities," he said in his speech during the opening of Darmasiswa 2008/2009 program orientation at Sasono Langen Budoyo of Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park (TMII), Wednesday (09/3/2008).

The Darmasiswa is a scholarship program granted by Indonesian government since 1974, which constitutes part of programs of ASEAN member countries. This program is intended for foreign students who want to learn Indonesian language, art, music and handicraft in Indonesia. In the beginning of 1990, the program was extended and allows foreign university students from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hungaria, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norwegia, Poland, Swedia and the USA. These students are allowed to choose to learn at one of 44 universities across Indonesia participating in this program. The number of alumnus up to 2008 is 2,037 from 85 countries.

The Minister of National Education said, the Darmasiswa Program allows university students to deepen their knowledge on Indonesian culture as well as to develop the understandings between cultures through Indonesian language and local languages learning. "We have more than 700 ethnic languages in Indonesia such as Sundanese, Betawinese, Javanese, Minangese and Buginese. You may also learn ethnic dances, painting art and traditional music," he said to the program participants.

The Head of Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation of the Ministry of National Education Agus Sartono reported, the Darmasiswa program constitutes one of scholarship programs intended for foreign students and countries having diplomatic relationship with Indonesian who willing to learn local languages such as Javanese, Sundanese or art culture such as traditional dances, traditional music, and handicrafts. "This education program is implemented to promote Indonesian cultures to friendly countries," he said.

Agus stated, in 2008/2009 academic year, the most students come from Thailand namely 42 students and China with 41 students. Meanwhile, he added, university students from Europe countries are 70 students. University students from Australia and Timor Leste also participate.

The Ambassador of Hungaria for Indonesia Mihaly Illes said, in 2007, his country sent 19 university students, while this year Hungaria sends more than 30 students. "I think this program is an advantageous investment for Indonesia," he added.

Sanla, the program participant from California, the USA will learn Balinese culture at Indonesian Art Institute in Denpasar. She admitted that she was interested to learn Indonesian language and culture. "I want to take a tour around Java," she said.

Edelis, the program participant from Spain, admitted that she was grateful to participate in Darmasiswa program. This program, she said, constitutes a rare opportunity in her life. "I never know the presence of such program. It is a fantastic opportunity for me. Everyone from various countries learn together," she added.***