Nelspruit - South Africans are being invited to apply for a scholarship to study music and dance in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government is again offering the Darmasiswa Scholarship for a variety of disciplines at Indonesian universities.
"The government of Indonesia is giving an opportunity for young South Africans to study various subjects of arts and culture in prestigious Indonesian universities and colleges through the 2009/2010 academic year," said spokesperson for the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, Adi Himawan, on Wednesday.
Students can choose subjects ranging from Indonesian languages to traditional music, ethno-musicology, shadow puppetry, traditional dance, crafts, painting, batik-making and photography.
Mr Himawan said the Darmasiswa programme would cover tuition fees of about R20 000 per head, a R1 500 monthly living allowance and a once-off clothing allowance.
The monthly allowance, he said, would cover the students' accommodation and food during their one-year study.
He said 18 South Africans had already benefited from the scholarship and that four were currently participating in the programme for the 2008/2009 academic year.
Over 5 000 students from 75 countries have participated in the programme since it started in 1974.
Mr Himawan said the next programme would start in September this year and that people younger than 36 who are interested in participating in it should submit their applications before 20 March.
To qualify, applicants must provide a copy of their matric certificate, a medical certificate of good health, a copy of a valid passport and five ID photos.
Interested individuals or art organisations can obtain application forms from the Indonesian embassy in Pretoria or call Mr Himawan on (012) 342-3350. Applications may also be made online at http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id or http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id
