Scholarship as ‘Debt of Gratitude’: Indonesia Grapples with Obligations of State-Funded Education
– Indonesian Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie has underscored the expectation that recipients of state scholarships view their funding as a “debt of gratitude,” a sentiment voiced amidst a growing public debate regarding the responsibilities of scholarship alumni to their nation.
Christie’s comments, made on Sunday, , came in response to a social media controversy surrounding remarks made by an alumna of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship program. The alumna, identified as Dwi Sasetyaningtyas, expressed a preference for her children to not hold Indonesian citizenship, a statement that quickly went viral and sparked widespread criticism.
“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,” Christie stated. She characterized the incident as a reflection of a broader issue concerning moral education, suggesting that scholarship recipients are not fully appreciating the trust placed in them through state funding.
The LPDP, according to reports, is planning to summon the alumna to address concerns about her fulfillment of obligations tied to the scholarship. The program requires awardees to serve in Indonesia for a period calculated as twice the length of their study plus one year (2N+1), as outlined in LPDP regulations. The case has ignited a national conversation about the commitment of scholarship recipients and their responsibilities to contribute to Indonesia’s development.
Christie cautioned against implementing overly restrictive scholarship regulations, arguing that such measures could foster cynicism and incentivize recipients to seek ways to circumvent their commitments. Instead, she advocated for a more trust-based approach, emphasizing the importance of providing scholarship recipients with the space to determine their own paths to benefit the nation.
“What is needed more is a trust-giving space for scholarship recipients to find their own ways to benefit the nation,” she said. She pointed out that contributing to Indonesia doesn’t necessarily require an immediate return to the country, suggesting that remaining abroad to gain expertise and build a strategic position can ultimately yield a greater impact.
Christie cited her own experience of continuing to contribute to Indonesia while building her career in the United States and China, through mentoring Indonesian students and fostering institutional collaborations. She also highlighted the contributions of diaspora members such as Vivi Kasim, Sastia Putri, and Haryadi, as examples of scientists who have positively impacted Indonesia from abroad.
The controversy surrounding Sasetyaningtyas began with an Instagram post expressing her desire for her children to hold foreign citizenship. In a video that was subsequently deleted, she reportedly stated, “It is enough for me to be an Indonesian citizen, not my children.” She later issued a public apology, acknowledging that her statement was inappropriate and could be interpreted as demeaning Indonesian citizenship, attributing the remark to personal feelings of disappointment and frustration.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has indicated the government will take firm action against the LPDP awardee, considering placing her on a blacklist that would prevent her from working in any government institution. The government is also weighing the possibility of requiring her to repay the scholarship funds, along with interest, given that the funding originates from taxpayers’ money and state debt.
The incident serves as a reminder, according to officials, for scholarship recipients to exercise caution and uphold ethical conduct in their public expressions. The case has sparked widespread debate on social media regarding the commitment of state scholarship awardees, their service obligations, and broader perceptions of Indonesia’s economic future.
