Photo: Park Jibae, TSE Group executive, congratulates Sakarias on securing an affirmation scholarship from the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP-KS). This scholarship allows Sakarias to attend the Yogyakarta Agricultural Community Academy (AKPY)
BOVEN DIGOEL – Tagaepe local Sakarias Yolmen couldn’t hide his emotions as he headed to the airport. The young man from Ngguti District, South Papua, would soon attend classes at the Yogyakarta Agricultural Community Academy (AKPY).
Sakarias, as he’s called, earned his spot through an affirmation scholarship from the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS). This year, he’ll get to study palm oil management, joining dozens of local clan members in TSE Group’s area who have benefited from the annual program by the company and Indonesia’s Directorate General of Plantation (Ministry of Agriculture).
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” he said on Tuesday (9/9). “All thanks to the company’s support. I hope the knowledge I get will help both myself and my hometown.”
For many young people in Inner Papua, pursuing college often feels like a distant dream. Cost, distance, and limited access to information pose huge barriers, making scholarships valuable and crucial to improving lives.
“Growing up, all I knew were oil palm plantations,” Sakarias shared. “I want to learn to manage them using modern, sustainable methods. This scholarship gives me that exact chance, at a famous institution. I’ll study hard and bring what I learn home to build my community.”
Photo: TSE Group also arranged for travel expenses and other necessities for the scholarship awardees
His story, alongside that of other lucky students, shows there’s potential in palm oil-producing communities. Like young trees, Sakarias and his friends are growing upward, gaining strength to bear fruit for their people.
“Our multi-year scholarship program is committed to enhancing people development and community empowerment,” said TSE Group’s General Manager Daniel Sim Ayomi.
This Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) initiative also fully covers travel expenses and other necessities throughout the study. TSE Group hopes its actions improve the social environment in which these students live. (PR)
