Jakarta, Sept. 16 -- The Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) will reform its scholarship program to better align graduates with the country's development priorities, the agency's director said Tuesday.

LPDP President Director Sudarto told lawmakers that the program will no longer focus solely on admissions but will guide candidates from the start so they understand how their studies connect to strategic industries and universities.

The LPDP is working with the ministries of higher education, primary and secondary education, and religious affairs to design the reforms, he said during a hearing with Parliament's Commission XI.

Scholarships will prioritize science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as othe...