Program to Extend Scholarships and Training to Achieve Sustainable Impacts II (PRESTASI II)
Indonesia is still facing a high maternal mortality rate, weak education system, high unemployment and environmental management challenges. The PRESTASI Program provided opportunities for Indonesians to study for an advanced degree in the USA as well as to attend short term technical training programs. PRESTASI was designed to address the needs of Indonesians who meet the technical qualifications for higher level training and the proven leadership capacity to apply the knowledge, skills and experience gained toward Indonesia’s development. PRESTASI followed in the footsteps of earlier scholarship programs. The goal was to train a new generation of Indonesian public and private sector leaders in priority skills and areas including economics, health, environment, management and leadership.
Activity Description
A key component of the U.S. government’s development program in Indonesia has always been training, and the support for both short and long-term exchange opportunities continues to be powerful tool in helping individuals, organizations, and institutions acquire the knowledge, skills, and capacity to support Indonesia’s on-going development. Program to Extend Scholarships and Training to Achieve Sustainable Impacts (PRESTASI) provides opportunities for Indonesians to earn Master degrees in selected fields primarily from a university in the U.S. PRESTASI is open to all Indonesians who meet the requirements.
Participants targeted for USAID PRESTASI Scholarship Program are:
- Emerging leaders
- Local NGO representative
- Public and private sector institutions
- Female participants are encouraged to apply
- Disable participants are encouraged to apply
- Under-represented and disadvantaged areas
The goal of this program was to improve the performance and leadership skills of Indonesian professionals, which, in turn helped to promote development in the country. Specifically, PRESTASI provided training and technical services required to strengthen and expand the base of skilled, high-performing professionals and institutions in Indonesia’s public and private sector. PRESTASI continued to support the tradition of participant training and human capacity development by providing opportunities for advanced academic degrees in the U.S. The program built on its successful past: since 2011, several hundred participants have earned Master Degrees in the United States. PRESTASI seeked to support scholars studying the relevant aspects that increase access to water supply and sanitation services.
Expected Outcomes
- A better developed cadre of skilled leaders and managers who can cascade new knowledge and skills within priority sectors and therefore advance key development objectives
- New advanced management skills, technical capacity, and knowledge will be developed and sustained within targeted public/private institutions and GOI ministries to enable more efficient, transparent, and accountable practices across sectors, and greater support for economic growth
- Gain the commitment of participants to 1) apply newly acquired skills at their places of employment, and 2) share new skills, knowledge and perceptions with colleagues, thereby maximizing the impact of training and creating a climate of growth, wider access to information and an on-going learning environment in their institutions, as well as the broader community
- Increased coordination of efforts among GOI, local institutions, USG Agencies and other donor organizations will be realized through participant networking teams established to mutually enhance capabilities, participate in community service activities, reinforce leadership potential and promote positive trends throughout the country
- More efficient, transparent, and accountable practices in managing resources across sectors leading to better service delivery
- Increased good will and cultural understanding engendered through academic study in the U.S.
- Increased number of Indonesian future leaders holding advanced degrees (Masters) from U.S. and in-country institutions of higher education
- Increased number of women and individuals from disadvantaged and/or under-represented geographic areas participating in the program.
