Pakistani Students Learn Unity in Diversity from Indonesia – by- Tazeen Akhtar from Jakarta

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Tazeen Akhtar from Indonesia
Pakistani students in Indonesia on fully funded scholarships offered by the host government are not only studying there but learning also how to live together with all differences of origin, faith, language, religion or region as the Indonesian nation is living as one nation despite more than a thousand diversities in their culture and lives.
Republic of Indonesia has always contributed in various sectors and on different times in difficult situations in Pakistan. A very humble nation does not trumpet it’s gestures but we should acknowledge and admire the expressions of solidarity and support of that nation. Indonesia was among first countries that dispatched relief for flood hit people of Pakistan. Indonesia exported palm oil to Pakistan relaxing the ban on export only to help Pakistan control shooting prices of edible oil in our market. Indonesia is supporting Pakistani youth as well in shape of fully funded scholarships for higher education at renown universities of Indonesia.
Pakistani students are getting the highest number of Indonesian Scholarships through KBN – Dharmasiswa programs. This year 300  students from all Pakistan, from Peshawar to Karachi passed the test to qualify for Indonesian Scholarships in different sectors in different universities. A group of the students is studying at the historical, cultural, picturesque, wonderful, tourist attraction city of Bandung, about 140 KM from the capital city Jakarta.

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I traveled on newly inaugurated Bullet train “Whoosh” from Jakarta to Bandung. The train was inaugurated by President Widodo on 02 Oct 2023. Built in collaboration with China, the train runs at the speed of 350 km / hour that connects two main cities of Indonesia in less than half an hour .
I met Pakistani students in Bandung during my working visit to Indonesia that was managed only thanks to the cooperation of Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad. The students were happy to get the scholarship and live in Indonesia.
Amjad Jabbar Bughio from Dadu, Sindh applied for full funded scholarship in Indonesia. He was selected in Bachelor degree program of digital business in Politeknik Piksi Ganesha Indonesia university Bandung. Two other students Danish Burhan Turk and Sher Gul Bughio from Karachi were also selected in Information system program on full funded scholarship.Danish from Islamabad is availing the scholarship in master degree at telkom university of Indonesia on KNB program 2023.
Aqib completed masters on scholarship and now doing Ph.d on full funded scholarship program in Indonesia.Danish Raza,Islamabad, MBA, Universitas Catholic Parahyangan (UNPAR). Osman from Islamabad is studying in ITB master degree at University of ITB in Bandung on full funded scholarship program.
Caption: Pakistani students in YogYakarta
My second interaction with another group of Pakistani students was in YogYakarta another bustling city on Java situated at about 700 KM from Bandung. Here I boarded Indonesian Railway “Turangga”. It was again a pleasant travel of 6 hours with no fatigue at all. It was because of the high quality of the train and service of railway staff.
The students shared their experiences of higher education in Indonesia. They are learning Bahasa, the local language to make their living here more convenient as well as to understand the local culture and lifestyles better. The students expressed their gratitude to Embassy and Gov of Indonesia for scholarships that cover all of their expenses including air ticket, tution fee, food and living.
There are many other scholarships available for Pakistani students but none of them covers everything not that select the number of applicants as Indonesia does. Therefore more and more Pakistani students can apply and avail this big opportunity provided by the brotherly country.
The students at YogYakarta are studying medical, medicine, informatics, engineering, forestry and other subjects. There is a combination of senior and new students. Matter of pleasure is that they are in touch and support one another always.
Third group of Pakistani students studying in Indonesia on scholarships, I met, was from Solo city Surakarta region. They belong to Lahore, Multan, Jafferabad Balochistan, KPK and other regions of Pakistan. Among them 3 were female students. Saba and Zunaira Javed from Lahore and Sana from Multan. Sana is mother of two kids while Saba and Zunaira are young students. Muhammad Ali is student of Masters in Biosciences, Universitas sebelas Maret UNS, SURAKARTA, Wazir Ali Jamali is from Balochistan PHD Education.
Sana is away from her two kids and husband but still composed and determined to complete her studies in Indonesia. She misses her family badly. She is looking forward to meet her children soon.
Zunaira Javed and Saba are young girls who rarely remained out of home away from the family. This is their first time to live without parents and in other country. To a question that what was the reaction of their parents when you qualified for the scholarship, the young girls said, ” Our parents have not only trusted us but actually they have expressed satisfaction on the good governance of Indonesian government that is helpful for us to be able to survive in Indonesia.
My last interaction with Pakistani students was at sidelines of Halal Expo in Jakarta. The students present were Syeda Sheeza Nadeem (Chemistry), Rizwan Khan (Physics), Muhammad Aqif (Physics) Naveed Ullah (Mathematics), Muhammad Ramzan (Mathematics),Tanveer Khan (Mechanical Engineering),Muhammad Rasheed (Political Science),Khalil Ullah (Administration Science),Muhammad Adil Khan (Pharmaceutical Science) are on UI GREAT Scholarship (Master’s Degree) program while Shah Hussain (Master’s in Psychology)and  Khalid Khan (PhD in Nursing) are on KNB Scholarship
The students are determined to make the maximum out of this facility.They are sure and looking forward to build a bright future using their education in Indonesia.
Interesting and encouraging point is that they are from different provinces of Pakistan but live in Indonesia in complete harmony. Yes! we have biases of ethnicity, territory, language etc. I observed Pakistanism only in them either they are from Sindh, KP, Balochistan or Punjab.
I give credit to Indonesia for this national integration in our youth that is badly required for our national future. They have learnt ” Unity in Diversity” from Indonesian hosts. Indonesia consists of nearly 17 thousand Islands, most of them having different culture and language but all of them introduce themselves as Indonesian only.
Caption: Ambassador H.E Adam M. Tugio 21 Aug 2023 addressing Pakistani students at Embassy in Islamabad
The Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad selected and sent last batch of Indonesian scholarships, including cultural exchange non-degree program of Dharmasiswa scholarships in August 2023. Ambassador Mr. Adam Tugio expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the scholarship awardees. On August 21, in a his meeting with the students, the Ambassador stated, “The keen interest of applicants from Pakistan in continuing their higher studies in Indonesia testifies the growing bilateral academic linkages and spirit of friendship between Indonesia and Pakistan”.
Caption: Pakistani students with Ambassador H.E Adam M. Tugio
KNB – Dharmasiswa programs provide an excellent opportunity for the students to cultivate a deeper understanding of rich and diverse culture of Indonesia. The gov and some best universities of Indonesia offer fully-funded scholarships on annual basis to Pakistani students to pursue higher education on science and social science. Interested applicants are encouraged to check the Embassy’s website and its social media.

 

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