Papua Scholar Success Program (PSSP)

Empowering Papua's Scholarship Success

Indonesia Education Partnerships and Papua

As six of the many provincial governments across Indonesia where Indonesia Education Partnerships has engaged with since 2011, the provinces of Papua, Indonesia, have the greatest human capacity gaps in the nation, impacting not only the education sector in Papua but also health, prosperity and governance overall.

Starting 2015, IEP was asked to advise on strategy for the Papua Government's international scholarship program, and based on the Governor's requests began developed key partnerships with international univerisites to meet the stated human capacity development gaps.  These initial collaborations with Papua achieved strong positive results, and our trusted relationship has since expanded steadily.  

Papua Scholar Success Program (PSSP)

Today, IEP has active partnerships and capacity building collaborations with each of the six Provincial Governments in Papua, and in July 2024 formally launched the multi-governmental partnership and capacity building initiative, Papua Scholar Success Program (Program Sukses Siswa Papua - PSSP), with support of key institutional and foundation partners and Indonesian national Ministries of government.

Program Objectives of PSSP

The PSSP’s long term primary objective is to empower Papuan youth to become influential future leaders, who will help bring the Papua Provinces and Indonesia towards a brighter, more prosperous, and inclusive future. The anticipated impact includes economic growth, improved social cohesion, and reduced disparities, ultimately leading to an enhanced quality of life in Papua, Indonesia. 

To achieve this, IEP is collaborating directly with the Papuan Provincial Governments to assist them in building government capacity, systems, procedures, and key relationships to effectively manage and support the scholarship program, starting with their largest cohort of scholars overseas which are in the United States of America.  

In addition, IEP is fostering direct engagement between the Papua governments, Indonesian Embassy and Consulates, hosting universities, key partners, and the students themselves, to overcome challenges and create support structures to  empower the Papua scholars for success at U.S. universities to graduate with their targeted degree within the scholarship window.

Impact of the Papua Scholar Success Program

Through improved access and administration of scholarships, mentorship programs, internships, and vocational training, the Papua Scholar Success Program seeks to expand educational, vocational, and entrepreneurial opportunities for young Papuan women and men, including persons with disabilities. This will result in improved educational attainment, reduced dropout rates, and increased access to employment opportunities.

The emergence of a highly successful generation of Papuan youth leaders will help reduce economic, social, and educational disparities within the region contributing to a more equitable society and fostering greater social cohesion on Papua and in Indonesia overall.