Makassar, S Sulawesi (AntaraNews Lampung) - Australian Consulate General in Makassar Aron Corbett said his government this year provided 1,600 scholarships for underprivileged students who wished to continue their education in the country.
          
Australian Consul General Aron Corbett said here on Monday that his government had a commitment to help educate students from developing countries by offering 1,600 masters and PhD scholarship scholarships.
            
He explained, of the 1,600 scholarships prepared by the Australian Government this year, most of them were intended for students from Indonesia. Even the percentage reached 78 percent of the total scholarships provided for this year.
          
"We continue to provide scholarships for underprivileged students but want to continue their education in Australia," he explained.
          
While related to tuition fees abroad including in Australia, he did not deny that it was more expensive. But when compared to similar campuses in the UK or the United States, it is even cheaper in Australia.
          
In addition, studying in Australia also has the advantage of being closer to Indonesia. "So students from Indonesia, including Makassar, can go home on holiday because of Australia's proximity from here," he said.
          
While another reason to study in Australia is because its campuses or departments are more complete, he said adding that in the case for engineers, for instance, there are seven campuses with that department that can be an option.
          
The engineer candidates from all over the world are not only taught technical skills but they also use English spoken both by Australians and those of other countries.
          
In addition, Australia is also a multicultural nation, whose people embrace various faiths, he said when delivering a public lecture for FTI UMI new students of Makassar. 

Reporting by Abdul Kadir