UN 
- ASEAN Youth Alliance committed $12 million to support girls in STEM in Indonesia.
- First scholarship cohort starts classes July 2024 in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan.
- Initiative aims for at least 40% female enrollment in partner STEM programs by 2026.
ASEAN Youth Alliance, a regional youth-led NGO, formally announced the $12 million STEM scholarship fund for Indonesian girls on June 4, 2024. The program addresses the persistent gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, where Indonesia’s current female participation remains below 30%, according to the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, and mentorship for secondary and tertiary STEM students enrolling in partner institutions including Universitas Indonesia and Institut Teknologi Bandung. ASEAN Youth Alliance states that 180 recipients, selected out of 2,000 applicants, will begin classes in July 2024 across Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan—making this one of the largest one-year disbursements for STEM gender inclusion in Southeast Asia.
While the announcement has drawn praise from UNICEF Indonesia and UN Women, SDG Talking notes that only 15% of the total fund has been disbursed to date, with the remainder contingent on meeting annual progress benchmarks. Independent monitoring by the Indonesian Coalition for Education Reform will annually publish enrollment and graduation data to prevent overstatement of impact or greenwashing in future communications.
By 2026, ASEAN Youth Alliance aims for at least 40% female enrollment in partner STEM programs—a target significantly above Indonesia’s current national average. Progress toward this goal will be publicly reported every six months, creating accountability as the region approaches SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the ASEAN Youth Alliance STEM scholarship?
Eligibility is limited to Indonesian female students entering secondary or tertiary STEM programs at partner universities in Jakarta, Surabaya, or Medan. Candidates must demonstrate academic merit and financial need, and priority is given to applicants from underserved communities.
How is progress on gender parity in STEM measured and reported?
Progress is monitored via biannual public reports covering female enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in partner institutions. Data is independently verified by the Indonesian Coalition for Education Reform to ensure accuracy and transparency, reducing risk of greenwashing.
Is the $12 million fund fully secured and delivered?
As of June 2024, only 15% of the $12 million has been disbursed, with the remainder tied to annual benchmarks and third-party verification. Delivery will be tracked through official financial disclosures and annual audit reports through 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ASEAN Youth Alliance STEM scholarship for Indonesian girls?
It is a $12 million scholarship fund launched to increase female participation in STEM education in Indonesia, covering tuition, living expenses, and mentorship for eligible girls.
Who is eligible for the ASEAN Youth Alliance STEM scholarship?
Indonesian female students entering secondary or tertiary STEM programs at partner universities in Jakarta, Surabaya, or Medan, with academic merit and financial need, are eligible.
When do the first recipients of the ASEAN Youth Alliance STEM scholarship start classes?
The first cohort of 180 recipients will begin classes in July 2024 in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan.
How much of the $12 million STEM scholarship fund has been disbursed so far?
Only 15% of the total fund has been disbursed to date; the rest depends on meeting annual progress benchmarks.
How will progress toward gender parity in STEM be reported for this scholarship program?
Progress will be monitored and reported every six months, with independent annual publication of enrollment and graduation data by the Indonesian Coalition for Education Reform.
