Bandung, UPI

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) has officially distributed a scholarship grant from the West Java Provincial Government to 215 high-achieving students, marking a significant step toward expanding access to higher education for those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

The “Genius Scholarship” was symbolically presented during the first-wave 2026 UPI graduation ceremony at the UPI Gymnasium on Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung, on Tuesday (Feb. 10).

The program is aimed at students who demonstrate strong academic performance while facing financial challenges, reflecting the provincial government’s commitment coordinated through the Regional Welfare Office to widening access to higher education and strengthening human resource development.

UPI Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Business, Prof. Dr. phil. Yudi Sukmayadi, M.Pd., explained that recipients are selected based on both financial need and academic excellence.

“These 215 students have gone through a rigorous proposal submission and document verification process conducted by the Directorate of Student Affairs and Alumni from October to November 2025,” he said.

He added that the scholarship is based on the Regional Grant Agreement (Naskah Perjanjian Hibah Daerah / NPHD), which was signed in September 2025 between UPI and the West Java Provincial Government.

UPI noted that this is not the first time it has received funding under the Genius Scholarship program and expressed hope for increased allocation in 2026, as many students still require support for their Single Tuition Fee (UKT) payments.

To ensure fairness, the scholarship is distributed proportionally across all study programs, allowing equal opportunities for students across faculties.

Through this initiative, UPI continues to support students’ academic journeys while contributing to the provincial government’s broader higher education agenda. The program also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by reducing financial barriers and promoting inclusive access to education. (Rija/DN)