State Scholarships Are a Debt of Gratitude, Says Deputy Minister

February 23, 2026 | 09:13 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie emphasized that state scholarships are a "debt of gratitude" that must be understood as a trust. This statement was issued in response to a polemic on social media regarding the attitudes of scholarship alumni toward their citizenship status.

"I was criticized by netizens when I urged overseas S-1 scholarship recipients under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology that the scholarship is a debt. However, that's just the reality: every scholarship from the state is a debt of gratitude," said Stella on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

She perceives the recent controversy as a reflection of a moral education issue. The government's Education Endowment Fund (LPDP) is reportedly planning to summon its awardee, a husband of Dwi Sasetyaningtyas who created a controversial social media post, for allegedly failing to fulfill his obligations.

"Scholarships are not being understood as a trust, but merely as facilities," Stella noted.

The polemic began with an Instagram post from Dwi Sasetyaningtyas expressing a desire for her children to hold foreign citizenship. In a video that was later deleted, Tyas remarked, "It is enough for me to be an Indonesian citizen, not my children." This statement drew sharp criticism for appearing to demean the identity of Indonesian citizens, particularly as she is an alumnus of a state-funded scholarship.

Stella argued that the solution to this controversy is not to tighten scholarship regulations. According to her, excessive restrictions can breed cynicism and drive recipients to find ways to circumvent their obligations. "What is needed more is a trust-giving space for scholarship recipients to find their own ways to benefit the nation," she said.

She added that contributing to Indonesia does not always necessitate an immediate physical return. In certain cases, remaining abroad until reaching a strategic position can result in a far broader impact.

Stella mentioned that she continued to contribute while building her career in the United States and China, including mentoring Indonesian students and bridging institutional cooperation. She cited several members of the diaspora, such as Vivi Kasim, Sastia Putri, and Haryadi, as examples of scientists who have made contributions to the homeland.

Read: Key Points of Lawsuit Over Free Meals in Education Funds

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Education Ministry Launches Talenta Indonesia Scholarship Program

2 hari lalu

Indonesia's Garuda School Grants 100% Scholarships in Its First Year

5 hari lalu

Australia Awards Scholarships 2026 Now Open for Indonesians

21 hari lalu

LPDP 2026 Scholarship Benefits and Funding Components

34 hari lalu

How to Apply for LPDP Scholarships 2026

35 hari lalu

Indonesia Allocates 5,750 Seats for LPDP Scholarships in 2026

36 hari lalu

Prabowo Seeks 80% of LPDP Scholarships for Science and Technology

39 hari lalu

Padjadjaran University Offers Scholarships for Students Affected by Sumatra Floods

9 Desember 2025

Prabowo Calls to Allot Some of Rp13tn CPO Corruption Funds to LPDP Scholarships

21 Oktober 2025

Prabowo Proposes Redirecting Rp13.2tn CPO Corruption Funds to LPDP Scholarship

20 Oktober 2025