KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Qatar and Indonesia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer scholarships for Afghan students to study in Indonesia, as part of efforts to support the education and development of Afghanistan.
The MoU, which aims to build human capacities in the country, was signed via video conference by Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, and Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi.
The scholarships will help Afghan students pursue higher education at Indonesian universities, providing opportunities for the country’s youth to build a brighter future. The initiative highlights the commitment of both nations to international development, with a focus on Afghanistan.
Al Khater emphasized the role of the MoU in strengthening Qatar-Indonesia relations, particularly in the realm of education and human development, and reaffirmed Qatar’s ongoing support for Afghanistan, including a recent $75 million pledge.
Foreign Minister Marsudi echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of education, particularly for Afghan women and girls, who face increasing restrictions under the Taliban regime. She noted that the partnership not only offers academic opportunities but also enhances resilience among Afghan students, helping them rebuild their homeland.
This collaboration reflects Qatar and Indonesia’s shared commitment to aiding Afghanistan’s development, following previous efforts such as the International Conference on Afghan Women’s Education in Bali. The scholarship program is expected to provide more opportunities for Afghan students to access quality education abroad.
This comes at a time when women are banned from pursuing higher education under Taliban rule. In August 2023, in line with their longstanding ban on education for women and girls, Taliban authorities prevented a group of female students from boarding a plane to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to take up fully funded scholarships to pursue university studies.
