Indonesia to receive additional scholarship quota from Al-Azhar University, Egypt

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia will receive additional scholarship quota for Indonesian university students from Al-Azhar University, Egypt, after Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas held a meeting with Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al Tayeb.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), this afternoon, at Cairo time, I met with the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb,” Qoumas said in a written statement on Thursday.

“I conveyed the intent of additional scholarship quota, and he responded well,” he remarked.

Qoumas’ visit to Egypt was undertaken to intensify cooperation between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Al-Azhar University to boost synergy in the field of education.

During the meeting, Al Tayeb affirmed that the university will increase the scholarship quota, from 200 to 250 university students.

The university holds Indonesian children in high regard, given their moral character, politeness, friendliness, diligence, as well as their high level of interest and motivation towards education, he remarked.

In addition to the additional scholarship quota for Indonesian university students, the minister requested that the dormitory, which served as an isolation location for COVID-19 patients, can be turned into a students’ dormitory again.

In response to this, the grand sheikh said that the location will be changed into a students’ dormitory once again, specifically for those, who received the Al-Azhar scholarship through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The grand sheikh highlighted the university’s high level of enthusiasm in providing support to Indonesian students. He also expects the Indonesian embassy in Egypt to cooperate with Al-Azhar to give attention to students.

Moreover, he sought the embassy’s participation in assisting these students during scientific, social, religious, and cultural activities.