Board of Commissioners and Directors of Pertamina Welcome 520 Pertamina Sobat Bumi Scholarship Recipients

Jakarta, September 4, 2024 – A flag parade from 40 partner universities of the Pertamina Sobat Bumi Scholarship, enlivened by traditional dances and a drum band performance, opened the 2024 Welcoming Awardee event with the theme “Energi Sobat Bumi Membangun Negeri” at the Pertamina Arena on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, held in a hybrid format. Following the spirit of Sobat Bumi, 520 scholarship recipients from 40 partner universities wore accessories made from recycled waste during the event.

President Commissioner of Pertamina, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, encouraged the Pertamina Sobat Bumi Scholarship recipients to grow into outstanding leaders who embody the Sobat Bumi spirit.

“You are now officially part of Sobat Bumi, or SoBI, which means Pertamina wants you to excel academically and show compassion for others and the environment. Be leaders of integrity who can help society overcome difficulties and safeguard the nation's natural resources. It aligns with Pertamina’s commitment to energy transition, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2060 while providing sustainable benefits,” Simon said.

Similarly, the Director of Human Resources of Pertamina, Erry Sugiharto, expressed his hope that the scholarship recipients will grow into young intellectuals who bring about a sustainable future for the nation.

“I urge all Pertamina Sobat Bumi Scholarship recipients to strive for academic excellence and skills to address the demographic bonus challenge. But do not stop there; you must take initiative and take concrete actions to contribute to climate change mitigation. With the spirit of Energizing the Nation, channel your energy for good by empowering communities and preserving the Earth,” Erry added.

A message to the Pertamina Sobat Bumi Scholarship Awardees was delivered virtually by the Director of Business Support of Pertamina, Erry Widiastono.

“To all scholarship recipients, I want to congratulate you on your achievement. It is just the beginning of a long journey. Make the most of this scholarship to explore your potential, expand your knowledge, broaden your horizons, and create a sustainable positive impact on society,” Erry Widiastono said.

As a national energy company, Pertamina is committed to sustainability, which is embedded in the Pertamina Sobat Bumi Scholarship program. Scholarship recipients are required to participate in green initiatives, such as the Aksi Sobat Bumi (Aksi SoBI) and Desa Energi Berdikari Sobat Bumi (DEB SoBI) programs.

During the Welcoming Awardee event, the achievements of the two activities were displayed at the Sobat Bumi gallery walk. The scholarship recipients successfully initiated 24 DEB SoBI projects, consisting of 19 solar power plants, two biogas plants, and three hybrid (solar and biogas) plants. The electricity generated amounted to 44,651 kWh per year, and the biogas produced totaled 2,689.2 m3. The DEB projects resulted in electricity cost savings of IDR 64,476,304 per year and LPG cost savings of IDR 11,429,100 per year. A total of 1,725 individuals from small businesses, farming groups, and households benefited from the DEB SoBI projects.

Through Sobat Bumi Action, the scholarship recipients collected 4.5 tons of waste, processed into 25 innovative waste-based products. Additionally, they planted 22,682 tree seedlings, including 19,922 mangrove seedlings, 1,525 trembesi/cempaka/angsana seedlings, and 1,235 other carbon-absorbing trees.

President Director of Pertamina Foundation, Agus Mashud S. Asngari, stated that this year, scholarship recipients were challenged to further develop and replicate DEB SoBI projects in other villages, aiming to create 16 new DEB SoBI projects.

“You are now part of the Sobat Bumi family, and the Pertamina Foundation, as the scholarship executor, is committed to providing the best support for your development. Maximize this opportunity to enhance your value and become highly competitive in the job market. Drive the sustainability agenda following the Sobat Bumi tagline ‘Love the Earth, Save the Earth,’ and become the light that sparks more lights,” Agus concluded.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**