PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) is committed to supporting quality, inclusive and equitable education for the community. The Education Scholarship Program for Students around Bukit Asam (Bidiksiba) is one of its efforts to achieve this goal.Bidiksiba is a scholarship offered to high school graduates/equivalent from underprivileged families in the company's vicinity so that they can pursue further education at university level.
Between 2013 and 2023, 345 students from the company's operational areas received this scholarship. There are 102 students and 243 alumni. These graduates have landed careers in a variety of business disciplines.
Noval Hariyanto, a young man from Tegal Rejo Village in Muara Enim Regency, shared his experience as a participant in the Bidiksiba Program.
"My father works as a motorbike taxi driver and cannot afford my tuition fees. I'm trying to find a scholarship and the Bidiksiba Program offers one," said Noval.
After passing the Biksiba selection test in 2014, Noval got accepted into the Chemical Engineering study program at the Sriwijaya State Polytechnic (Polsri). Noval now works as a Field Operator for a private company in the petrochemical industry.
Aji Malik, a Bidiksiba participant in 2013, described the real benefits of the scholarship. He did not have to worry about tuition or living expenses, allowing him to concentrate on his studies at the Faculty of Law, Sriwijaya University (Unsri). Now Aji works as a State Civil Servant (ASN).
"The Bidiksiba scholarship provides amazing benefits. College operations are safe, allowing me to study well," he said.
Dian Adi Saputra, a Bidiksiba participant in 2015, encourages the young kids from underprivileged families in his hometown to be motivated to pursue their dreams. Dian shared his passion and experiences during his participation in Tanjung Enim's Mobile Library and Educational Tourism Program.
"I return home to Tanjung Enim feeling grateful. Education is really important for young kids. I can see many kids who may share my fate and dreams. I don't want them to be discouraged just because of financial limitation,” he said.
PTBA hopes that the Bidiksiba Program will contribute to the human resource quality improvement while also alleviating poverty.
In addition to Bidikiba, PTBA also manages the Ayo Sekolah Program, which provides disadvantaged students with scholarship packages. In order to raise the proficiency of elementary school teachers in the Muara Enim and Lahat Regencies, there are also national movements for the eradication of mathematics illiteracy (Gernas Tastaka) and reading illiteracy (Gernas Tastaba).
