Image from article, with caption: Azis Nurwajyudi, director of public diplomacy [JB emphasis] at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks to journalists in Jakarta on Friday. (JG Photo/Nur Yasmin)
Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United States Embassy are offering fellowships to 10 Indonesian students to study culture in America as part of the 70-year commemoration of bilateral relations between the two countries, an official said.The fellowship is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program for youth ambassadors from Indonesia to the United States.”As part of celebrating the 70th year of US-Indonesia bilateral relations, we will send 10 students from various regions in Indonesia to stay in the United States from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1,” Azis Nurwahyudi, public diplomacy director at the foreign ministry, said in Jakarta on Friday.He said they are looking for accomplished students, to give them the chance to network with their peers in the United States, and give them a better understanding of relations between the two countries.Last year, the ministry sent 18 students abroad under the program, which has been running since 2011.How to Apply?If you are an active Indonesian college student, aged 18-25, who has a national or international achievement or written on US-Indonesia relations and are interested in this program, you can apply directly on the foreign ministry’s website by no later than May 10.Foreign StudentsForeign students will also have an opportunity to experience Indonesia through the Indonesia Arts and Culture Scholarship this year.”We have selected 72 candidates from 40 countries and they will start their three-month program on May 10,” Azis said.He said the fellowship program has produced more than 800 alumni from 74 countries since it began.This year, three new countries – Gambia, Portugal and Colombia – will be participating.”The foreign students will be split into six groups and live in different cities across Indonesia – Yogyakarta, Banyuwangi in East Java, Kutai Kertanegara in East Kalimantan, Padang in West Sumatra, Bali and Makassar in South Sulawesi,” Azis said.
Friends of IndonesiaTo advance the country’s diplomatic efforts, the directorate also will present in June this year the Friends of Indonesia program for foreign diplomats to learn more about the archipelago.The program will provide diplomats with a better understanding when adopting policies on, or communicating with their governments about Indonesia.”This way, they can have first-hand experience of Indonesia, since they have been dealing with us only through paperwork,” Azis said.”This year’s theme is ‘Fellowship for Future Ambassadors’ and we will invite young diplomats from 15 countries: Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Ireland, the Ukraine, Norway, Nauru, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, East Timor, the Philippines, Egypt and Mozambique,” he added. young diplomats from 15 countries: Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Ireland, the Ukraine, Norway, Nauru, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, East Timor, the Philippines, Egypt and Mozambique,” he added.Original Article
