Tanoto Foundation Scholars Participate in 2017 Young Leaders for Indonesia Program

Nine Tanoto Foundation scholars were the latest batch of students to complete the ‘Young Leaders for Indonesia (YLI)’ program, following six continuous months of active involvement in the program in 2017.

The YLI program – which has been running since 2009 – is attended by third and fourth year university students who are selected because of their academic and non-academic achievements, as well as their active participation within Tanoto Foundation.

Initiated by McKinsey & Co., the YLI program aims to equip scholars with leadership skills through short and long-term projects, as well as inspirational talks by prominent public figures.

YLI program alumni include Go-Jek CEO Nadiem A. Makarim, and RuangGuru CEO Iman Usman.

The 2017 edition of the YLI program was attended by: Magdalena Maristia, Devi Aprisanti R, Agata Ayu Gita, Haitsam Shiddiq, Juan Daniel, Nesita Anggraini, Singgih Prakosa, Ayu Rizkyana, and Theresia D. Wahyuni.

During the program, the nine participants took part in two projects: a personal leadership project (PLP) and a breakthrough leadership project (BLP).

Scholars initiate and work on PLPs almost entirely on their own for two months, save for minimal guidance by their mentors.

The PLPs are meant to improve the scholars’ abilities to think critically and analyse a problem objectively, as well as their problem-solving capabilities.

Following completion of the PLPs, the participants then have the opportunity to work directly for a company during the BLP, which emphasises heavily on teamwork.

The BLP aims specifically to prepare scholars for the working world, as professionalism, integrity, punctuality, teamwork and client relations are involved. Among the companies involved in this year’s edition of the YLI program are Tokopedia, Pertamina, IBM and Travel Sparks.

Deputy Head of Tanoto Foundation, Margaretha Ari Widowati said: “This is an initiative by Tanoto Foundation to continuously provide not just financial assistance but also soft skills to scholars. And this time it’s a specific soft skill, which is leadership skills.”

As part of the 2017 YLI program, the nine participants also received the opportunity to meet and speak with Tanoto Foundation representatives, including Tanoto Foundation Board of Trustees member, Belinda Tanoto.