The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Suva has reinforced its commitment to strengthening education ties with Fiji following an information session on Indonesian government scholarship programs held in Suva on Tuesday.
The session, hosted at the Talanoa Lounge of the Great Council of Chiefs Vale ni Bose Complex in Nasese, focused on fully-funded tertiary opportunities for Fijian students.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Simamora, said education was central to development in Fiji and the Pacific.
“Education in Fiji and the Pacific is deeply connected to culture, community and resilience. In fact, education supports nearly all strategic priorities of the 2050 Strategy,” he said.
He noted that Indonesia aligns its education and training programs with Fiji’s National Development Plan and the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.
Tuesday’s session highlighted fully-funded bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral scholarships under the TIAS and KNB schemes, covering disciplines such as sustainable tourism, fisheries management, digital transformation, agriculture, health, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), entrepreneurship, and maritime and ocean science.
Mr Simamora said alumni experiences were key to strengthening people-to-people links. He acknowledged Indonesian scholarship alumnus Sokovoli Odrovakavula and current TIAS recipient Silivinosi Naulumatua, who is studying in Malang, East Java.
Fiji Indonesia Friendship Association president and former Fiji ambassador to Indonesia, Ratu Tui Cavuilati, encouraged officials to make full use of scholarship and capacity-building opportunities offered by Indonesia.
“If ever there was a country that Fiji could learn and benefit from in terms of the empowerment of our people, it is Indonesia,” he said, adding that strengthening people-to-people relations would remain a priority.
