Press Releases Empowering Local Youth to Strengthen Village Communities, PT BNM Awards “Anak Muda Berkarya” Scholarships in Ketapang, West Kalimantan

Ketapang, 10 December 2024 – Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, through its subsidiary PT Bangun Nusa Mandiri (PT BNM), reaffirmed its commitment to education and rural development by awarding the “Anak Muda Berkarya” Scholarship to five students from Periangan, Terusan, and Biku Sarana Villages in Ketapang, West Kalimantan.

The programme provides a total grant of IDR 229 million, which covers tuition fees, educational supplies, and living expenses. Additionally, recipients benefit from various mentoring initiatives, including a capacity building programme to develop their skills and potential.

One of the scholarship recipients, Claristha Renjana Putri, a third-semester English Education student at PGRI University Pontianak, expressed her gratitude for the support that has brought her closer to achieving her dream of becoming a teacher and contributing to her village. “As a future educator, I hope to inspire the children in my region to embrace the importance of education,” said Claristha.

The “Anak Muda Berkarya” Scholarship reflects PT BNM’s dedication to empowering young people in the villages surrounding its operational areas. By combining financial aid with personal development training, the initiative aims to shape young leaders who can make a meaningful impact on their communities.

The scholarship were presented alongside the first capacity building session, held from 28 – 30 November 2024, at the Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food office in Pontianak. Over three days, recipients engaged in activities designed to identify village challenges, explore local potential, and formulate actionable plans to drive meaningful change in their communities.

Claristha shared how the programme has equipped her with practical tools to address challenges in her village. “We learned how to draft structured plans and prioritised the most relevant actions to meet the needs of our communities,” she explained.

Another scholarship recipient, Juan Yosua Riman Tangel, also highlighted the transformative impact of the capacity building session, which broadened his perspective and strengthened his confidence as a change agent. “The capacity building programme has been incredibly valuable, enabling us to implement the initiatives envisioned through the ‘Anak Muda Berkarya’ Scholarship,” said the 21-year-old law student at Diponegoro University in Semarang.

An Investment in the Future of Local Communities
Susanto Yang, Director of PT Bangun Nusa Mandiri, emphasised the vital role of education in sustainable development. “We believe investing in young people is an investment in a brighter future. This programme not only supports their education but also nurtures them to become change-makers committed to their environment and the future of their villages,” he stated.

Beyond providing scholarships, PT BNM hopes the recipients will inspire other young people in their villages to contribute to rural development. “With consistent mentoring and active involvement in community projects, PT BNM aspires to ensure this programme has a lasting impact, benefiting not just the recipients but also the broader community,” Susanto concluded.

About Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food
Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, part of the Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) group of companies, is a leading global agribusiness based on palm oil production, with a planted area of more than 532.488 hectares (including plasma smallholders) as of 31 March 2024. The company has an integrated operation producing food made from raw vegetable oils.

Its parent company, GAR was founded in 1996 and listed on the Singapore Exchange in 1999 with a market capitalisation of US$2.5 billion as of 28 March 2024. Flambo International Limited, an investment company, is currently GAR’s largest shareholder, with a 50.56 % stake. GAR has several subsidiaries, including PT SMART Tbk which was listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 1992.

Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food is focused on sustainable palm oil production. In Indonesia, its primary activities include cultivating and harvesting of oil palm trees; processing of fresh fruit bunch into crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel; merchandising and refining CPO into value-added products such as cooking oil, margarine, shortening, and biodiesel; as well as trading of palm oil products worldwide. It also has operations in China and India including a deep-sea port, oilseeds crushing plants, production capabilities for refined edible oil products as well as other food products such as noodles.

For more information about our company, visit https://www.smart-tbk.com