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Govt to assist students at risk of losing university degrees in Turkey
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A man walks pastTurkish flags in Istanbul, on July 30. Currently 248 Indonesian students are studying in Turkey partly funded by an organization linked to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen accused by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of orchestrating the failed coup attempt on July 15. (AP/Petros Karadjias)
T
he government is seeking ways to ensure the completion of university degrees pursued by hundreds of Indonesian students in Turkey who had been grantees of PASIAD scholarships, the funding of which has been invalidated, a minister said on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said she had spoken with the Technology, Research and Higher Education Ministry, the Culture and Education Ministry as well as the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) to discuss steps for the continuity of the education of the students.
There are currently 248 Indonesians studying on PASIAD stipends, Retno said, citing ministry data. Four of these are pursuing master's degrees while the rest are studying for bachelor's degrees. PASIAD, standing for Pacific Nations Social and Economic Development Association, is linked to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen accused by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of orchestrating the failed coup attempt on July 15.
Indonesian students are spread across 20 cities in Turkey, with the majority of them located in Istanbul, Ankara and Kayseri. The Foreign Ministry has also begun discussions with the respective local governments on the education prospects of the students.
"After mapping out the students, we have to now chart out how these students can continue their schooling because it's clear that the scholarships from PASIAD no longer exist," Retno told reporters.
As proof of the government's commitment, the Indonesian Consulate in Istanbul had collected personal funds to subsidize one student's fees, after considering the urgency. The minister would not disclose the student's identity.
"We don't interfere with domestic politics, but what is our concern is the protection of Indonesian students," Retno said. (rin)
