Nabire – Efforts to improve the quality of human resources in Papua continue to grow through various education programs. One of these initiatives is the opening of registration for the 2026 Special Autonomy Affirmation Higher Education Scholarship (ADiK Otsus) for high school and vocational school graduates from Papua.
The program provides opportunities for young Papuans to pursue higher education at universities across Indonesia. Through this affirmative program, the government aims to expand access to higher education while preparing a competitive generation of Papuan youth.
Head of the Special Education Division at the Central Papua Provincial Education Office, Freddy Edowai, said that registration for the 2026 ADiK program opened on February 27, 2026, and will run until May 22, 2026.
“Usually the registration only lasts one month, but this year we are giving three months so that students in remote areas who experience internet difficulties can still register,” said Freddy Edowai.
He explained that the ADiK program is an affirmative initiative from the central government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, specifically intended for Indigenous Papuan students to continue their studies at universities in several provinces across Indonesia.
In the registration process, each regency in Central Papua is given a quota of 100 applicants. However, this quota only applies to the registration stage and does not guarantee that all applicants will be accepted.
“The selection is not conducted by the province or the ministry, but by the universities themselves. So not everyone who registers will necessarily pass the selection,” Freddy explained.
In addition, prospective applicants must meet several academic requirements, including having a minimum average score of 75 in each subject and no score below that mark.
Freddy also advised prospective participants to carefully consider their academic abilities when choosing their study programs and universities.
“If your average score is around 78 or 79, it is better not to immediately choose highly competitive majors such as medicine because the competition is very high,” he said.
Through the ADiK Otsus program, the government hopes that more young Papuans will be able to pursue higher education and later contribute to the development of their regions, thereby supporting the advancement of education in Papua.
