VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 8 - Seven native Papuan students got admission into three top US universities early this year on account of their academic capabilities and English proficiency.

The students are pursuing their studies at the Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and Louisiana State University, Academic Director at the Jakarta International College (JIC) Fransisca Laij stated.

"During their pathway training program at the JIC, their academic results are so good. They are ready to pursue their studies in the United States," Laij noted in a press statement that ANTARA received here Monday.

Jessica Rumfaker, Michael Saroge, Paleria Waibusi, Raffaela Wanimbo, Ronaldo Krey, Steve Fonataba, and Yulandia Jufuway are the Papuan students that have currently taken up undergraduate programs at the three universities.

Laij pointed out that the students also had a good outlook in addition to possessing sound academic capabilities and being proficient in English.

The JIC senses immense pride in the fact that they have taken up studies in the areas, including petroleum engineering, which are relevant to the needs of Papua to build its brighter future, according to Laij.

"I am optimistic that Papua Province would have excellent human capital since education and human resource development have been prioritized. Some 10 or 20 years from now, these Papuan teenagers will gain mastery over science and technology. I do believe it," she affirmed.

To this end, Laij praised the Papuan provincial government over its unwavering focus on education and human resource development programs for its people in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The Papua provincial government confirmed it will send 45 native Papuan students to take up undergraduate programs and two others to pursue their studies through postgraduate programs at reputable universities in the United States this year.

The development of human resources in Papua and West Papua remains a tricky challenge, as the Human Development Index scores of these provinces lag behind that of other provinces in Indonesia.

Referring to Indonesia's 2019 Human Development Index, Papua and West Papua recorded scores of 64.7 and 60.84 respectively.

In improving the quality of human capital of Papua and West Papua, the Indonesian finance ministry has suggested that the regional governments allocate an endowment fund to finance human resource development and education for native Papuans.

The fund can be allocated from Papua Province's annual budget, Director of the Finance Ministry's Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) Scholarship Program Dwi Larso stated. (Antaranews)