Batang Toru, 3 August 2024 – PT Agincourt Resources awarded Martabe Prestasi Scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic year to 494 students from elementary to university levels residing in South Tapanuli Regency and Padangsidimpuan City, North Sumatra. The total budget allocated by Martabe Gold Mine operator reached IDR4.32 billion.
The number of scholarship beneficiaries this year increased by approximately 30% compared to the 2023/2024 academic year covering 379 students. The budget allocated for the 2024/2025 academic year also increased to 43% from the previous year worth IDR3.02 billion.
General Manager Operations & Deputy Director Operations of PT Agincourt Resources, Rahmat Lubis, said that Martabe Prestasi Scholarship Program is part of the Company’s sustainable commitment to improve the quality of people’s lives through education. It is expected that this program can open more opportunities for the young generation from South Tapanuli and Padangsidimpuan, particularly mining ring areas, to achieve their goals and contribute positively to national development.
“We realize the importance of education in shaping a better future, not only for individuals but also for the whole community. In harmony with our determination to be the agent of change who contributes to socioeconomic development, this year we organized Martabe Prestasi Scholarship to support students in need,” said Rahmat.
In the last few years, PTAR has implemented various programs in the field of education, including Focused Learning Program and teacher capacity building and empowerment. PTAR also organizes the training of Basic Mechanical Course collaborating with UT School. The beneficiaries of the program this year are 11 people coming from Batang Toru and Muara Batang Toru.
Through this Martabe Prestasi Scholarship Program, PTAR intends to expand the positive impacts of these efforts by providing opportunities for more students to get quality education.
“We have long been known as a company that does not only focus on business aspects, but also very cares about social and environmental responsibility. Our commitment to community welfare is reflected in various social initiatives having been realized so far, one of which is in the field of education,” said Rahmat.
Through Martabe Prestasi Scholarship Program, Company provides financial assistance to high-achieving students from underprivileged families. Since the registration opened in mid-March, followed by document verification and interview for several months, on 2 August 2024, Martabe Prestasi Scholarship Conferment was held.
South Tapanuli Regent, Dolly Pasaribu appreciated PTAR’s initiative in advancing the quality of human resources through the awarding of Martabe Prestasi Scholarships.
“Congratulations to all recipients of Martabe Prestasi scholarships. Be steadfast in pursuing your goals and always ask for your parents’ blessings,” he said when attending Martabe Prestasi Scholarship Conferment in Batang Toru, Friday (2/8/2024).
He advised Martabe Prestasi Scholarship recipients not to be complacent after receiving the scholarship, but to continue to explore knowledge for the advancement of themselves and the surrounding community.
Read Also: Supporting Education, PTAR Awards Scholarships to 283 Students in South Tapanuli
PTAR started to organize Martabe Prestasi Scholarship in 2017. At the time, the number of beneficiaries was 130 students coming only from two districts, namely Batang Toru and Muara Batang Toru, with the total budget of IDR257 million.
From year to year, the number of Martabe Prestasi Scholarship beneficiaries continues to grow and the coverage continues to expand. Currently, the scholarship beneficiaries from Senior High School to university levels have covered South Tapanuli Regency while including the leading universities in South Tapanuli Regency and Padangsidimpuan City.
In total, PTAR has provided scholarships to 1,651 students starting from the first in 2017 to 2024 with the total allocated fund amounting to IDR12.8 billion.
Martabe Prestasi Scholarship Program supports students to be able to continue their education to the best universities in Indonesia. A number of scholarship beneficiaries in 2024 have been accepted into Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Universitas Padjadjaran, Universitas Andalas, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), and Politeknik Astra.
Amalina Ritonga, a student of MAN 2 Padangsidimpuan, felt happy and grateful for being accepted into Agribusiness Management of IPB and for receiving Martabe Prestasi Scholarship. She could not believe that she could continue her education to university.
“This scholarship helps me realize my dream of studying in IPB. In the future, after graduation, hopefully my knowledge will be beneficial for my family and the community,” she said.
Devi Rahayu Panggabean also expressed her gratitude for receiving Martabe Prestasi Scholarship. Because of the scholarship, this student of SMA Negeri 1 Batang Toru can eventually continue her education to Agritechnology of USU. “In the future, after completing my study in university, I would like to apply my knowledge in developing South Tapanuli. I also would like to encourage other students in South Tapanuli to get the Martabe Prestasi Scholarship to be able to reach their goals,” said Devi.
