Hendrikus Paulus Kaunang
Prospective students now have a significant opportunity to pursue higher education in the Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) Program at Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) through the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) scholarship scheme. This prestigious funding program has become a major support system for students enrolled in the program. Currently, nearly 70% of the IRS UGM students are LPDP scholarship recipients, representing diverse regions across Indonesia, from the eastern to the western parts of the archipelago. The LPDP scholarship offers a wide range of benefits that greatly ease the financial burden of higher education. These include full tuition coverage, living allowances, language development programs, and additional support such as book and research funding, along with other academic-related expenses. Such comprehensive support enables students to fully focus on their academic and professional development.
One of the LPDP awardees in the IRS UGM is Trijuliani Renda, a lecturer at the Institut Agama Kristen Negeri (IAKN) Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. She shared that her decision to pursue studies in the IRS Program was driven by its strong academic quality and alignment with her research interests, particularly in the field of religious moderation.
“I chose the Inter-Religious Studies Program because it offers a high-quality academic environment through lecturers from various countries and other universities, with a strong curriculum in interdisciplinary research,” she explained.
In addition, Trijuliani highlighted that the IRS UGM’s connection with LPDP played a crucial role in her decision. She recognized that the program is well-supported within the LPDP framework, which increased her confidence in applying for the scholarship.
“The academic atmosphere of IRS UGM certainly makes it superior, making it a preferred study program within the framework of the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP). I obtained this opportunity by building connections between IRS UGM, LPDP, and my expertise, which are consistently reflected in every requirement and regulation of LPDP. With the support of LPDP and the academic framework of IRS UGM, it will certainly strengthen my expertise in the future,” she added.
Trijuliani’s experience illustrates the tangible benefits that students can gain from securing the LPDP scholarship, particularly when combined with the strong academic foundation offered by the IRS UGM. The program is committed to providing full support to prospective students who wish to apply for LPDP funding, ensuring they are well-prepared throughout the application process. The IRS UGM opens admissions twice in each academic year, during the odd and even semesters, offering flexibility for applicants. For more detailed information regarding LPDP scholarship requirements and application procedures, prospective students are encouraged to visit the official LPDP website.