Tanoto Foundation Supports the Increasing of Universities’ Gross Enrollment Rate

Thursday, 27 August  2015 – According to the data from Ministry of Education and Culture, the gross enrollment rate of Indonesia’s universities in 2014 is still at 30%. This means that approximately 70% of high-school and vocational school graduates do not continue their education to universities, which is due to several reasons including economic difficulties. Moreover, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows that in 2014, of 7.24 million unemployed individuals in the country, about 3.35 million (45.5%) of them are high school and vocational school graduates. The two data indicate that accessibility of higher education remains a huge challenge for Indonesia’s educational landscape.

As part of the effort to improve the access for higher education, since 2006, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded scholarships to more than 5,400 students and university students in Indonesia. For students who have obtained achievements and posses leadership capacities, yet are financially burdened, Tanoto Foundation supports their studies with scholarship programs, including National Champion Scholarship, Regional Champion Scholarship, and other scholarship programs.

For the 2015/2016 academic year, 236 university students from 9 university partners have officially become scholarship recipients for Non-Committal National Champion Scholarship. Nine of the universities are Bogor Agricultural University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Gadjah Mada University, University of Indonesia, Hasanuddin University, University of North Sumatera, Mulawarman University, University of Riau, and University of Jambi.

Tahun ini, Tanoto Foundation juga memberikan Regional Champion Scholarship kepada 40 lulusan SMA dari Jambi, Sumatera Utara, dan Riau untuk melanjutkan ke perguraun tinggi. Regional Champion Scholarship merupakan program Beasiswa Tanoto Foundation yang memberikan dukungan kepada mahasiswa dari mulai masuk hingga selesai masa perkuliahan, dan dilanjutkan dengan program ikatan dinas di perusahaan yang merupakan mitra korporasi Tanoto Foundation.

This year, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded Regional Champion Scholarship to 40 high school graduates from Jambi, North Sumatera, and Riau, to continue their higher education. Regional Champion Scholarship is a scholarship program from Tanoto Foundation that provides support for university students starting when they first enter the university until they graduate, which is followed by a commitment program to work for corporate partners of Tanoto Foundation.

 “We happily welcome the support of Tanoto Foundation to improve the accessibility and quality of higher education in Indonesia, particularly in North Sumatera. We hope that the support from Tanoto Foundation can bring values to all of the university graduates in facing the real career world,” Prof. Subhilhar, PhD, Rector Officials of University of North Sumatera, explained.

Chairman of Tanoto Foundation, Sihol Aritonang, in the agreement signing ceremony with Tanoto Scholars at the University of North Sumatera, Medan, explained, “This year, Tanoto Foundation works with 9 universities for undergraduate scholarship programs, and 6 universities for postgraduate scholarship programs. The selection process is competitive, starting from administrative selection, psychology test, and interview. Since 2006 up to this day, the number of enrollment rise significantly. This year, Tanoto Foundation received more than 15,000 applications. This indicates that there are increasing numbers of young generations who are concerned about their accessibility to higher education. Tanoto Foundation will continue supporting their aspiration.”

“The Scholarship program is an obligation from the founders, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto and Mrs. Ibu Tinah Bingei, in the effort to improve the quality and accessibility of education in Indonesia. The improvement in the realm of education, also in the community empowerment and enhancement of quality of lives are true testaments of Tanoto Foundation in our effort to tackle poverty in Indonesia,” Sihol Aritonang added.

The scholarship program from Tanoto Foundation covers more than just financial support to the students, but is also provides them with enrichment programs, academic counseling, networking between Tanoto Scholars through an annual program that is the Tanoto Scholars Gathering, as well as the opportunity to work with companies affiliated with Tanoto Foundation.

For further information, please contact the following:

Lestari Boediono, Head of Corporate Communications

Phone: +62 21 392 3189, Fax: +62 21 392 3324

Email: lestari_boediono@www.tanotofoundation.org

***

About Tanoto Foundation

Tanoto Foundation, which was established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, has a vision to become a center of excellence in the effort for Poverty Alleviation through Education, Empowerment, and Enhancement of Quality of Lives. In the realm of education, Tanoto Foundation supports the improvement of accessibility and quality of education in Indonesia.

In order to improve the accessibility of education, Tanoto Foundation has rewarded scholarships to more than 5,400 students and university students, as well as working in partnership with 28 Universities in Indonesia. Moreover, to improve the quality of education, Tanoto Foundation works in partnership with over 320 schools in North Sumatera, Riau, and Jambi. Among the programs operated are to develop the capacities of teachers in classroom-based teaching and learning, training for students to improve their habit to live clean and healthy, as well as supporting students to improve their fascination in reading books.

In the realm of Community Empowerment, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners, PT. Riau Andalan Pul and Paper. One of their programs is to train 3,400 farmers in the Integrated Farming System. Tanoto Foundation also works with other corporate partners, including Asian Agri. The programs were developed to raise the income of more than 3,600 independent farmers who manage in approximate 11,000 hectares of sustainable palm oil plantations.

In the realm of Enhancement of Quality of Lives, Tanoto Foundation works with corporate partners to run programs such as health and development of clean water and sanitation facilities.

For further information, please visit: staging2-tanotofoundation-org.averis.emerain.net