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  • 221 future leaders attend Tanoto Scholars Gathering 2019 in Pangkalan Kerinci

    221 future leaders attend Tanoto Scholars Gathering 2019 in Pangkalan Kerinci

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    A total of 221 TELADAN program participants, or Tanoto Scholars, recently attended the 2019 Tanoto Scholars Gathering (TSG) held at Pangkalan Kerinci in Riau from August 30 to September 2.

    The participants came from 19 universities in Indonesia, as well as from Nanyang Technology University in Singapore and Bond University in Australia.

    TELADAN is a leadership development program designed to prepare Indonesia’s future leaders by equipping them with the various skills required to contribute positively to their living and working environment in the future.

    As part of the program, an annual TSG is held to provide opportunities to the Tanoto Scholars to strengthen their spirit to learn and lead, broaden their insights on sustainable development, develop networks and hone their soft skills.

    TSG 2019 marks the tenth edition of the event since it was first held in 2010. Aryanti Savitri, Tanoto Foundation Head of Scholarship and Leadership Development, was present to open TSG 2019, along with Satrijo Tanudjojo, Global CEO of Tanoto Foundation, and Aras Mulyadi, Rector of Riau University.

    On the first day, the participants attended an inspirational talk with Mulyadi and Tanudjojo, who motivated the scholars to become successful future leaders.

    “There are three things that a leader must have. The first is curiosity, the second is the ability to understand social dynamics, and the third is self-awareness about your strengths or weaknesses,” Satrijo Tanudjojo said.

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    Participants also learned about the sustainability practices which are implemented within the RGE Group of companies, through visits to the RGE Technology Centre, APRIL paper mill, APR rayon mills, Asian Agri palm oil plantations, acacia and eucalyptus nurseries, and RAPP’s community development center.

    “During a visit to an oil palm plantation, I gained a lot of new knowledge because I am an accounting major. Now I have an idea of how to choose good oil palm seeds. For example, if the leaves of an oil palm are yellow, it means its seeds won’t be good because the photosynthesis process was not optimal. I also learned that owls are good natural predators for controlling mice population in the plantations,” said Sherly Valencia, Tanoto Scholar from Jambi University.

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    The TSG 2019 participants also honed their leadership and teamwork skills through various outward bound activities on Day 2.

    “There was a Cup Tower game which challenged us to build the highest tower we could using paper cups, which does not collapse even where there are strong winds. Through this activity, I gained an understanding about the importance of concentrating and not rushing, while carrying out a task.

    “I also learned how to work together with team members in designing and implementing successful strategies,” said Suomi Bologni Aprilina Simorangkir, a Tanoto Scholar from the Bandung Pulp and Paper Technology Academy.

    In the middle of the session, the participants were surprised by the arrival of Mohamad Nasir, the Indonesian Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, who was there to motivate them. The minister also took the time to answer several questions from the Tanoto Scholars.

    “I am very happy to meet the future leaders of the nation. With you, I am sure that Indonesia can compete and make a more tangible contribution in the world.

    “You must be prepared to face tight competition, strong challenges and obstacles. Remember to lead the world and become a generation of quality. You don’t just need to be able to read, write or count, you must be able to work with others as collaboration is the most important foundation for realising all dreams and hopes for the future,” said Mohamad Nasir.

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    The third day was also a valuable opportunity for the Tanoto Scholars as they met Anderson Tanoto, member of the Tanoto Foundation Board of Trustees, who shared his experiences about useful skills to develop during university which can support future success.

    “The knowledge we gain beyond academia is very important for our success in the future. Therefore, join an association or organisation. Joining one will help us acquire various skills and a lot of knowledge. Also make it a habit to read books as a source of knowledge. Don’t forget to keep your body fit by exercising, make friends and build networks which will be useful in the future,” he said.

    The TSG 2019 participants also heard from various speakers who have succeeded in their respective fields such as Bayu Krisnamurthi, Professor from Bogor Agricultural University cum former Indonesian minister; Nur Agis Aulia, Tanoto Scholar alumnus cum founder of Jawara Farm; and Untari Febrian Ramadhani, global winner of Ideas for Action 2018.

    The line-up of speakers also included Nila Tanzil, founder of Taman Bacaan Pelangi; Panut Mulyono, Rector of Gadjah Mada University; Budi Setiyono, Vice Rector of Diponegoro University; Wisnu Nugroho, Editor in Chief of Kompas.com; and Mikha Tambayong, Indonesian Heart Foundation Ambassador.

    TSG 2019 concluded with a gala dinner attended by all the participants, Tanoto Foundation staff and invited guests.

    See you at TSG 2020 next year!

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  • Globalizing Education Through the Tanoto Initiative

    Globalizing Education Through the Tanoto Initiative

    The five-year-old program supported by Wharton and the philanthropic Tanoto Foundation is fostering close ties between the School and Southeast Asian institutions.

    As a Wharton alum myself, I believe it is essential that we maximize the utility of education to create value, impact, and opportunities. The journey to scaling up includes nurturing global, holistic citizens into future decision-makers and leaders. More than ever, during these challenging times—marked by polarizing and narrowing views—it is imperative that we remain committed to globalizing education and partnering with like-minded institutions and stakeholders.

    Why Southeast Asia

    There are many salient indicators of Southeast Asia’s increasing global significance and potential. Swiss business school IMD has identified island-state Singapore to be the most competitive economy in the world, with its ASEAN neighbors making very significant progress. Indonesia is entering the early stage of its demographic dividend, which will be represented by a huge workforce comprising 70 percent of the population by 2030. Therefore, there is good reason and an urgent need to support the enhancement of capabilities in higher education as we develop the next generation of leaders across private and public sectors—leaders with foresight and the ability to pivot and drive transformation.

    The Tanoto Initiative

    We launched the Tanoto Initiative at the Wharton School in 2013, seeking to build academic ties and advance Wharton’s research in the ASEAN region, especially in its most populous member country, Indonesia. Southeast Asia has a population of more than 643 million, with Indonesia alone accounting for about 262 million. The boundless potential of Southeast Asia is not only marked by its abundant natural resources but also its human resources.

    The Tanoto Foundation continues to deepen collaboration with Wharton and select academic institutions in Southeast Asia. This intercontinental exchange has broken down boundaries, myths and silos, while building up valuable knowledge for the benefit of researchers and students across geographies. Equally as important, participating Wharton students and faculty have deepened their knowledge of the region, a priority for a global institution such as Wharton.

    Five Focus Areas

    Supported by a $5 million endowment and an initial term fund of $1 million, the Tanoto Initiative at Wharton seeks to engage faculty and students more closely with Southeast Asia in five focus areas:

    • Through the Wharton Global Faculty Development Program, we supported 12 academics from two of Indonesia’s premier universities, Universitas Indonesia and Universitas Gadjah Mada, in furthering their research.
    • Accelerating knowledge exchange and research in ASEAN countries, Faculty International Seminars brought six Wharton academics to Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand, where they met with leaders in government and business and gained firsthand insight into business and governance issues.
    • We have disbursed six faculty research grants to date to support a variety of research in Indonesia and ASEAN countries. These included a study on vertical farming in Vietnam and Singapore, and impact studies on large-scale urban renewal and home upgrading programs in Indonesia.
    • The Tanoto Initiative supports a scholarship for a student from the region, helping to alleviate the financial cost of a Wharton education and ensuring their success during their four years on campus.
    • Five years on, over 275 Wharton students have participated in Global Modular Courses which offer a window into Southeast Asia. In partnership with Singapore Management University, Wharton undergraduates, MBAs, and Executive MBAs traveled to Indonesia to experience firsthand sustainable business leadership in world-class companies. They were exposed to innovative ideas that we hope will be passed on to companies and institutions in other parts of the world. Strategic partners such as SMU have proven invaluable in helping the Tanoto Initiative crystallize its vision for a mutually empowering global education.

    This article was written by Anderson Tanoto, the Wharton School alumni and a member of Board of Trustees of Tanoto Foundation. For detail article, click here.

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  • Tanoto Scholar lives at school to pursue dreams

    Tanoto Scholar lives at school to pursue dreams

    Rifky Adha may be just 22 years old, but the philosophy and values he lives by are truly beyond his years. Rifky is currently majoring in International Relations at the University of Riau, and is a scholarship recipient under Tanoto Foundation’s TELADAN program. When he was in his third year of university, Rifky decided to take the unusual step of living next to the university’s prayer room, in a bid to save on housing costs.

    “There is nothing wrong with that, and I don’t feel embarrassed or inferior,”

    Rifky

    Growing up, Rifky has always tried to make his parents’ financial lives easier. “I come from a low to middle income family. My father and mother were both factory workers, and together with my younger sister, we all resided in Medan,” he said, without the slightest hint of sadness in his eyes.

    Due to the family’s financial struggles, Rifky was unable to pursue further studies for a year after graduating from high school. During this time, Rifky had to harbour his enthusiasm for further learning at university as well as his disappointment, doing his best to understand his parents’ financial condition. He even took up part-time work in an effort to contribute to the family’s income.

    “It was very difficult to find work without experience. I worked as a janitor at two places – in a restaurant and a karaoke place. I was never ashamed, I was preoccupied with the fact that my salary was so low,” he said.

    However, in the following year, after collecting enough money to pay for university, Rifky was able to register as a student at the University of Riau. “But, after a year of studying away from home, I faced a financial hurdle again. I even almost had to quit university in my second semester,” Rifky said.

    Then, Rifky found out about the Tanoto Foundation scholarship offered through its TELADAN program.

    “Many of my classmates applied, and seeing the intense competition, I was a little hesitant at first. But I decided to try because I didn’t want to sacrifice the education I had painstakingly started at this point,” he said, adding that he did not want to take up part-time work while studying because he knew his academic performance would suffer. Thankfully, by the time he entered his third semester, Rifky had become a Tanoto Foundation scholarship recipient.

    “I instantly felt like a very heavy burden had been lifted from my parents’ as well as my shoulders. In addition to the tuition fees, I also received allowance for school books and other school needs,” Rifky said, adding that he enjoyed developing himself through participating in various organisations including the Tanoto Scholars Association (TSA) at the university.

    When Rifky entered his fifth semester of university, he decided to stop renting the room at the boarding house he had been living in near the university campus. “I really want to continue my education to the Masters level, and I also want to save up so that my younger sister – who is now in high school – does not have to experience the same financial difficulties I experienced,” Rifky said with a smile.

    “Coincidentally, the University of Riau has several rooms located next to the campus’ prayer room for students to live in and I thought why not?

    “Staying in one would mean I could get to class earlier, be more diligent at prayers, and save on accommodation costs in pursuing my dreams,” he said.

    In his new room, Rifky honestly does not feel much difference. Although he is not required to, Rifky willingly helps the university by cleaning the prayer room every morning before classes begin, as well as after sunset. “Nobody makes me feel ashamed because I’m not doing anything to be ashamed of. I am fighting hard to become a successful person who can make my parents proud,” he said.

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