The LPDP say they have relatively few MoUs signed with UK universities even though the UK is, to date, the most popular destination for LPDP students. The LPDP wishes to formalize its relationship with universities as a more formal basis for partnership working.

Source: face to face meeting with LPDP official

Commentary by: Teresa Birks, British Council Indonesia, Director Education and Society, teresa.birks@britishcouncil.or.id

It is advisable for universities to sign an MoU with the LPDP as this may have an impact on the prioritization of study destination given that there is a sense that a) why so many students go to the UK? and b) priority given to partnerships relationships. Although there is still an emphasis on the top 200 ‘list’ universities, the Australian Technology Network universities succeeded in signing an agreement with the LPDP by promoting their employability and industry links. The LPDP’s Affirmative Action scholarship which is mainly for students outside of Java is not restricted to the top 200 universities ‘list’- as there is a quote of 30% of total scholarships allocated to the Affirmative Action scholarship, it is worth trying to engage in an agreement with the LPDP on this. A word of caution though – securing such an agreement can be very time consuming and the ATN for example had someone in country representing them on this, and university representatives also made frequent visits to Jakarta. However, the LPDP are planning to appoint an LPDP ‘ambassador’ to the Indonesian embassy which should help facilitate communication.