ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – United States Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Public Diplomacy and Public Relations Elizabeth M. Allen and Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Religion, Nizar Ali signed a joint statement of interest in the Fulbright Program, on December 5 2023, in Jakarta.
“This expression of interest will provide new opportunities through the Fulbright Program for United States citizens to teach in religious schools or higher education institutions under the Ministry of Religion for the first time since 2019,” said Elizabeth, quoted from a press release from the United States Embassy. in Jakarta, Friday, December 8 2023.
This statement also lays the groundwork for Indonesians from these schools or institutions to participate in Fulbright exchange programs in the United States to earn degrees, conduct research, or for other academic purposes.
This signing reaffirms the spirit of cooperation that was manifested in the historic momentum of upgrading US-Indonesia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the meeting between President Biden and President Jokowi on November 13.
This further underlines the importance of people-to-people ties and educational exchanges in bilateral relations.
This statement of interest deepens the two countries’ shared commitment to people-to-people exchanges, developing a shared knowledge heritage and cultural enrichment.
“A key aspect of this collaboration is the placement of Fulbright AS English Teaching Assistant (ETA) students as accompanying teachers in schools under the Ministry of Religion; “including Islamic schools (madrasas), Islamic boarding schools, or other religious schools,” he explained.
US Fulbright Scholars, who are senior academics from American universities, can now teach at Islamic universities, Catholic seminaries, or other higher education institutions under the Ministry of Religion, and US Fulbright Specialists, who are senior academics or professionals, can be invited to Indonesian institutions, universities, or higher education institutions under the Ministry as external experts for short-term projects.
The Fulbright Program is the US Government’s flagship international academic exchange program. The Fulbright Program has been present in Indonesia for more than 70 years, providing scholarships to more than 2,800 Indonesians and 1,200 American students, scholars, artists, professionals and teachers to study, become lecturers, teach and conduct research both in the United States and abroad. (AT Network)
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