Balikpapan– The Sobat Bumi Kalimantan (BSBK) scholarship program from PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), in collaboration with Pertamina Foundation (PF) as the implementing partner, has opened up significant opportunities for Zahrahtul Sa'diyah to attend Mulawarman University in the Management program. Alongside 14 other top students from Kalimantan who have also received this scholarship, Zahra's new journey toward higher education and realizing her dreams has begun.

Zahrahtul Sa'diyah, commonly known as Zahra, is an outstanding student at her high school, SMAN 7 Samarinda. For her, the BSBK program is like a lifeline to continue her education amid her family's financial constraints.

During high school, Zahra actively participated in provincial-level competitions, such as the National Science Competition/Kompetisi Sains Nasional (KSN), poetry reading, flag-raising ceremonies, and jujitsu sports competitions. Her achievements have made Zahra gain direct admission to the management program at Mulawarman University.

Zahra received a full scholarship in the BSBK program when she had just lost her father. Now, her mother, a housewife, is the family's financial support while Zahra's two siblings are also still studying. When participating in the BSBK selection online, Zahra had to take turns using electronic devices with her friends or siblings.

Zahra also took up a part-time job as a Paskibra coach at an elementary school to lighten her parents' burden. "There was one moment when my schedule as a Paskibra coach conflicted with the BSBK academic potential test, so I had to adjust. My sacrifice was not in vain, as I eventually passed the next selection stage and was chosen as a scholarship recipient. The Paskibra team I coached also won second place in East Kalimantan," Zahra recalled.

The BSBK program helps Zahra achieve her goal of becoming a leader who can positively impact society and make her parents proud. "I am incredibly grateful to PHI for the scholarship provided. I will use this scholarship to develop myself into a leader who can help those around me and contribute to Pertamina and Kalimantan in the future," Zahra said.

The BSBK program provides full funding for Zahra and the other fourteen recipients to pursue a bachelor's degree. The financial assistance includes tuition fees (SPP/UKT), living and support costs, environmental capacity-building funds, Sobat Bumi actions, and the Aksi Sobat Bumi dan Desa Energi Berdikari Sobat Bumi (DEB SoBI) program.

This year marks the inaugural implementation of the BSBK program, one of PHI's flagship CSR programs in education. The program aims to support the realization of Indonesia Gold 2045 by developing quality human resources, especially for students from underprivileged families. PHI's subsidiaries fund the BSBK program: PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), and PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT).

Dony Indrawan, manager of Communication Relations and CID at PHI, stated that the BSBK program helps the youth of Kalimantan realize their hopes and look forward to a better future. "The Sobat Bumi Kalimantan scholarship serves as a bridge to achieving the dreams of the best students from Kalimantan. We are proud of their hard work and effort in navigating the long process. We instill confidence in the 15 inaugural scholarship recipients to become the Energy of Kalimantan for Indonesia, in line with PHI's slogan," Dony said.

PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) is part of the Subholding Upstream Pertamina, managing upstream oil and gas operations in Regional 3 Kalimantan, adhering to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in achieving its vision of becoming a world-class oil and gas company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates working with SKK Migas, PHI conducts 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 #EnergyKalimantanForIndonesia. PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.