Kutai Kartanegara– PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), in collaboration with Pertamina Foundation (PF) as the implementing partner, has launched the Sobat Bumi Kalimantan Scholarship Program (BSBK). BSBK is PHI's flagship CSR program in education, aimed at enhancing the capacity of young generations, particularly those from underprivileged families, by providing access to higher education. A total of 15 outstanding students from Kalimantan were selected as scholarship recipients and have begun their studies at various universities.

One of the recipients, Maya, is now a Geophysics student at Mulawarman University, exemplifying the impact of the BSBK Program. Maya grew up in a modest family with four siblings. "I have always been determined to pursue a better education since childhood. Given our financial limitations, I knew this was the path to changing my family's life," said Maya, who expressed her deep gratitude for receiving the scholarship.

Maya’s success in obtaining the BSBK scholarship resulted from her hard work. During high school, she actively participated in various extracurricular activities and academic competitions that honed her social and leadership skills. "My mother’s support encouraged me to try new things; she has been a great motivator. The Sobat Bumi Kalimantan Scholarship not only helps me financially but also gives me renewed enthusiasm to keep learning," she added.

The BSBK Program provides comprehensive support to its recipients, ensuring that they can fully focus on their studies and personal growth. This support includes covering tuition fees (SPP/UKT), living expenses, and capacity-building activities with an environmental focus. Additionally, scholarship recipients are involved in various social activities to raise environmental awareness, such as the Sobat Bumi Action Program and the Desa Energi Berdikari Sobat Bumi (DEB SoBI).

Dony Indrawan, manager of Communication Relations and CID at PHI, explained that this program reflects the company’s commitment to supporting human resource development and environmental conservation in Kalimantan. "The scholarships awarded through BSBK not only alleviate their financial burdens but also help produce outstanding individuals ready to compete on a global scale," said Dony.

Dony further stated that these scholarship recipients are expected to become change agents who excel academically and demonstrate care for the environment and their surrounding communities. "We are optimistic that every scholarship recipient will bring positive changes for themselves, their families, and their communities," he added.

This year marks the inaugural implementation of the BSBK Program. The funding for BSBK is fully supported by PHI subsidiaries, namely PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), and PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT). The PHI Group hopes to contribute to achieving Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045 through this scholarship program.

PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) is part of Pertamina’s Subholding Upstream, managing upstream oil and gas operations and businesses in Regional 3 Kalimantan under the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) to realize its vision of becoming a world-class oil and gas company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates in collaboration with SKK Migas, PHI runs innovative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to embody #EnergyFromKalimantanForIndonesia. PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. For more information about PHI, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.