Jakarta—PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) collaborated with the Pertamina Foundation (PF) to launch the Kalimantan Earth Buddy Scholarship (BSBK), one of PHI's flagship CSR programs in the education sector. The launch and socialization of this program were conducted online and attended by heads of education departments, school principals, and student representatives from around the operational areas of PHI Regional 3 Kalimantan on Thursday (14/3).

The BSBK program provides full bachelor's degrees (S1) scholarships to high school graduates and equivalents from schools registered in this program, especially from underprivileged families. As an inclusive program, this scholarship provides equal opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Dony Indrawan, Manager of Communication Relations & CID PHI, highlighted that the BSBK Program offers chances for Kalimantan's top local students facing economic constraints to pursue a bachelor's degree education. The four partner universities of this program are Borneo Tarakan University (North Kalimantan), Mulawarman University and Kalimantan Institute of Technology (East Kalimantan), and Lambung Mangkurat University (South Kalimantan).

"The BSBK program is PHI's commitment to human resource development in the company's operational areas. We believe that education is one of the main foundations for building an independent and broad-minded society, thereby promoting sustainable development," said Dony. This scholarship program provides opportunities for prospective participants to gain knowledge, develop an environmentally friendly spirit, strengthen Indonesian cultural love character, and experience renewable energy activation skills.

"PHI wants to contribute to the emergence of young generations of Kalimantan who can provide "energy" and contribute to the future progress of Indonesia. Kalimantan Energy for Indonesia," he emphasized. This year marks the inaugural year of the BSBK implementation, supported by PHI's subsidiary companies, namely PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), and PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT).

Pertamina Foundation acts as the program's implementing partner. "We strive to bridge efforts to improve education and progress for the sons and daughters of Kalimantan. "The entire process, including information dissemination, recruitment, selection, scholarship allocation, university travel arrangements, and scholarship recipient mentoring, must adhere to principles of good governance," stated Yulius S. Bulo, Director of Operations at Pertamina Foundation.

The secretary of the East Kalimantan Provincial Education and Culture Department, Yekti Utami, conveyed full support for BSBK. "The Kalimantan Earth Buddy Scholarship can assist the provincial government in its mission to enhance access to higher education and promote environmental preservation, as reflected in the scholarship's name, Sobat Bumi," stated Yeni.

Registration for BSBK is open from March 15 to March 23, 2024, through the website http://pertaminafoundation.org. Further details regarding the BSBK Program are available on the official social media channels of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia and Pertamina Foundation.

PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) is part of the Pertamina Upstream Subholding and manages upstream oil and gas operations and businesses in Regional 3 Kalimantan according to the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in achieving its vision to become a world-class oil and gas company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates working together with SKK Migas, PHI carries out innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realize #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia (Kalimantan Energy for Indonesia). PHI's headquarters is in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.