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5 clusters · 15 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS · POLITICS

Southeast Asian scholarship initiatives 2026

Overview

In June 2026, government‑linked agencies in Southeast Asia announced new scholarship programmes to broaden higher‑education access for high‑performing and low‑income students. Malaysia’s Public Service Department (JPA) offered 640 sponsorship slots for 2026 SPM graduates across four programmes, using a merit‑based convertible‑loan model under the Government Madani agenda. Indonesia’s Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) launched the PNM Scholarship 2026, supporting 1,590 high‑performing children from low‑income families from primary school through university, linked to its Mekaar and ULaMM initiatives. On 6 July, PNM announced a job‑creation drive that would absorb more than 70,000 low‑income high‑school and vocational graduates—about 88 % women—into field‑staff roles, with over 43,000 SMA/SMK graduates hired, reflecting the growing demand from its expanding client base. At the Halal Expo Indonesia 2026 on 9 July, PNM presented its inclusive Islamic micro‑finance model, serving 16.1 million ultra‑micro borrowers through 58 branches. The programme relies on group‑based social collateral; 74 % of participants reported higher incomes, 72 % a greater voice in household decisions, and 90 % felt more financially independent. Delegates from nine D‑8 member states highlighted Indonesia’s role in advancing halal trade. A briefing on 14 July reported that PNM had extended financing to more than 23 million ultra‑micro customers, including outreach to remote 3T areas via the Mekaar programme’s 4,035 service units (516 in hard‑to‑reach locations). The government‑backed KUR credit scheme had disbursed Rp159.8 trillion to 2.5 million borrowers, aiming for a Rp295 trillion target by year‑end. By 12 July 2026, the Ministry of UMKM said the KUR programme had reached 54.2 % of that target, disbursing Rp159.8 trillion to about 2.5 million borrowers, with 1.1 million new entrants and over 511 000 borrowers moving to higher financing tiers.

Timeline

  1. about 5 hours ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Indonesia expands micro‑enterprise financing to remote regions and migrant workers

    Indonesia’s KUR program reached 54% of its target, adding 1.1 million new borrowers, while PNM and Danantara expanded financing to 3T regions, serving over 23 million ultra‑micro entrepreneurs and improving KUR

  2. 5 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Indonesia's PNM showcases Islamic microfinance for 16.1 million ultra‑micro borrowers at Halal Expo

    PNM highlighted its Islamic microfinance scheme for 16.1 million ultra‑micro borrowers at the Halal Expo, citing income gains and greater household influence, and tied the effort to D‑8 halal trade ambitions.

  3. 8 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Indonesia's PNM creates tens of thousands of jobs for low‑income school graduates

    Indonesia's state‑owned PNM is hiring tens of thousands of low‑income high‑school graduates, adding to its 70,000‑strong workforce and supporting the government's UMKM growth push.

  4. 16 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Permodalan Nasional Madani gives scholarships to 1,590 Indonesian children

    PNM launches a 2026 scholarship programme for 1,590 low‑income Indonesian children from Mekaar and ULaMM customers, covering education from primary to university level.

  5. 25 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Malaysia's Public Service Department Offers 640 Scholarships for 2026 SPM Graduates

    JPA offers 640 scholarships for 2026 SPM top students across four programmes, enabling study in Malaysia and countries such as the US, UK, and Japan, under the Government Madani talent‑development plan.

Sources

antaranews.com · cari.republika.co.id · inews.id · keuangan.kontan.co.id · m.jpnn.com · matapantura.republika.co.id · mediaindonesia.com · mxdwn.com · ramenten.republika.co.id · republika.co.id · rmol.id · sorong.tribunnews.com · us.nasional.news.viva.co.id · utusan.com.my · vilavalega.blogs.sapo.pt