By Jones Gadama
Malawi has made a significant mark on the global academic stage after 13 of its students were awarded the prestigious Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship by the Government of Indonesia.
This fully-funded program is a testament to Indonesia’s commitment to uplifting developing nations through world-class academic opportunities.
The Indonesian Embassy in Maputo, accredited to Malawi, and the Honorary Consulate of Indonesia in Malawi played a pivotal role in promoting the scholarship and facilitating the successful application process.
Malawi’s achievement is notable, securing about 8% of the 171 scholarships awarded globally for the 2025 academic year.
This impressive feat places Malawi as the country with the fifth-largest awardees among 46 beneficiary countries worldwide and third in Africa.
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia to Malawi, Tariq Kidy, expressed pride in Malawi’s achievement, highlighting Indonesia’s vision for global development anchored in solidarity, education, and empowerment.
“The KNB Scholarship reflects Indonesia’s genuine commitment to uplifting developing nations through world-class academic opportunities,” he said.
Among the awardees is Afera Hassan, who will pursue a Master’s in Communication Science at the University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.
“I am deeply grateful to the Indonesian Government for this prestigious KNB Scholarship,” she said, adding that,”To be selected for such a competitive and life-changing opportunity is a profound honour. I look forward to embarking on this academic journey.”
The KNB Scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and includes a year-long cultural and language orientation in Indonesia.
The awardees will study critical fields for Malawi’s development, including engineering, public health, agriculture, and economics, positioning themselves as future nation builders.
This achievement underscores the strong diplomatic ties between Malawi and Indonesia, with the Indonesian Government’s commitment to empowering students from developing nations.
As these 13 students prepare for their academic journey, they carry with them the dreams of a nation, poised to return as changemakers and champions of Malawi’s future.
