A plane flew across the sky as Dian Adi Saputra was caring for his mother in the hospital. At 16 years old, Dian looked up and thought to himself how much he wished he could fly on a plane one day.Coming from an underprivileged family, flying on a plane was a distant luxury for Dian. His mother made a living selling goods at the market, while his father took on various odd jobs.
Not just flying on a plane, this young man from Tanjung Enim dreamt to go study and gain as much experience as possible.
"When I told my parents about my dream of studying in Java, my mother responded by asking how much it would cost. I knew I couldn’t pursue that dream by placing a burden on my parents," said Dian.
After graduating from high school in 2015, Dian wanted to continue his education at college. Unfortunately, his parents couldn’t afford it.
However, financial limitations did not stand in the way of Dian pursuing his dream. Through a friend, he learned that PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) offered a Scholarship Program for Students Around Bukit Asam (Bidiksiba).
He then attended the Bidiksiba socialization event, where he learned that one of the universities collaborating with PTBA in the Bidiksiba Program was Malang State Polytechnic (Polinema). Dian decided to participate in the Bidiksiba selection and pursue his studies at Polinema, enrolling in the D3 Informatics Management program.
After passing the selection process, Dian flew to Java Island to study at Polinema. "Alhamdulillah, I received the scholarship after going through a rigorous selection process. It’s an experience I will never forget," he said.
Determined not to waste the opportunity, Dian proved that he was just as capable as other students from different regions. He achieved several accomplishments during his time at Polinema.
"I want to develop myself because I am a scholarship recipient. Some of the achievements I’ve earned include being named Polinema Campus Ambassador, Malang City Batik Ambassador, and Malang City Political Ambassador," said Dian.
After completing his education at Polinema, Dian returned to his hometown to inspire the youth in Tanjung Enim to pursue their dreams and strive for achievements. Dian’s story is a testament to the fact that everyone has the opportunity to realize their dreams. With passion and perseverance, no goal is too high to reach.
"I returned to Tanjung Enim in a state of deep gratitude. Education is crucial for children. I see younger kids who may share the same challenges and dreams I once had. I want them to know that they should never be discouraged just because of financial constraints," he concluded.
Dedy Saptaria Rosa, VP of Sustainability at PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), stated that the Bidiksiba program is a reflection of PTBA's commitment to supporting the progress of communities around its operational areas through education. This aligns with the government's Asta Cita, particularly point 4, which focuses on the development of Human Resources (HR).
"Through the Bidiksiba program, we provide opportunities for students from underprivileged families to pursue higher education. In this way, the quality of human resources will improve, and the cycle of poverty can be broken. We hope this program will have a positive impact on both the participants' futures and the broader community," said Dedy.
With its commitment to sustainable energy, PTBA runs the Bidiksiba program to provide opportunities for high school (SMA) or equivalent graduates from underprivileged families in the surrounding areas to continue their education at the higher education level (Diploma Three or D-III).
From 2013 to 2024, a total of 367 youth from the areas around PTBA’s operational area have received this scholarship. Of these, 121 are current students, while 246 are alumni. These alumni have successfully found employment across various industries.
