DILI, 22 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Manoj Kumar Bharti urged young Timorese to apply for Indian scholarships to study in India.
“We provide 15 scholarships for technical courses and 10 scholarships for humanities-related courses every year. So, a total of 25 scholarships are being offered every year and are not being used by the Timorese people,” Ambassador Bharti told TATOLI after having a meeting with Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, in Farol, Dili, on monday.
He said there are not even more than two people from Timor-Leste applying for the scholarship every year: “It’s a gross misutilization, and we would want people from Timor-Leste to apply for these scholarships. Because if more people are asking for scholarships, then this number can be increased.”
When asked why the number of applicants from Timor-Leste is so low, Bharti said the primary reason is a lack of English proficiency.
“All the courses and the scholarships are being conducted in the English language in India. And perhaps this is just my thinking that perhaps it’s because of a lack of proficiency in the English language. That’s why not so many people from Timor-Leste applying for the Indian Scholarship,” he explained.
Bharti stressed therefore during his meeting with Prime Miniter Ruak, they also discussed the possibility of how to increase the education level in basic English, so that young Timorese people can take advantage of the scholarship and training programs in India.
He said there is no easy solution, adding that once the Indian Foreign Office Consultations is set up in Timor-Leste, then there will be regular consultations to speed up the whole process: “Once we have a regular consultation, then we can continue to start regularly exchanging ideas. Right now, it’s not happening at all. So, if we have a regular consultative process between Indian Foreign Office Consultations and the Government of Timor-Leste, then we can discuss all areas of cooperation.”
Simple steps to applying for Indian scholarships
Bharti called on young Timorese people to visit the Embassy in Jakarta’s website to apply for the scholarship. https://www.indianembassyjakarta.gov.in
“You go to the Indian Embassy in Jakarta website or visit the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program website and search for ITEC courses and you will find the details of each course form to fill in. But first, you need to find out which courses are available to apply for right now,” Bharti informed.
“For example, if you can visit right now and do the search at those websites, you will find 13 different courses for which you can apply, starting from November onwards. Because it needs about two months-time to process.
“So, I encourage young Timorese to apply online by filling up the form, and then we get your application form online from the Indian Embassy in Jakarta and we will process it and send it to India. And if you are selected, then you are not required to spend even one penny, even airfare, living allowances, education allowances, and tuition fees. Everything is given by the government of India. You only have to go to India to study as everything is free. Again, you go to the ITEC website, look at the information, select a course, fill up the form, and send it to the Indian embassy. That’s all you need to do,” Ambassador Bharti concluded.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
