Jakarta. Philanthropy Tanoto Foundation is granting its flagship Teladan scholarships to 260 students this year.

Teladan is short for “Transformasi Edukasi untuk Melahirkan Pemimpin Masa Depan”, which translates into “transforming education to nurture future leaders”. 

Since 2006, the Tanoto Foundation undergraduate scholarship program has reached 8,338 awardees. Tanoto Foundation then launched the Teladan program in 2019 as a means to not only provide financial support for promising students but also train them into future leaders.

The Teladan program opens a new batch every year for first-year students across 10 partner universities. They are the University of Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology, Gadjah Mada University, Brawijaya University, Diponegoro University, IPB University, Riau University, North Sumatra University, Hasanuddin University, and Mulawarman University.

This year, the Tanoto Foundation granted 260 students the Teladan scholarships. As many as 160 recipients got the scholarship through the regular routes. About 100 others are holders of the Indonesia Smart Card - University (KIP-K) Teladan in partnership with the Education Ministry. KIP-K Teladan beneficiaries will not only get financial assistance, but they will also take part in leadership and soft skills development.

The selected awardees had to go through an extensive selection process. There were initially 6,359 applicants. About 6,099 signed up via the regular route, while 240 others got recommendations for the KIP-K Teladan.

“The Teladan program is part of our commitment to nurture future Indonesian leaders who are able to face challenges and contribute positively to the community and environment,” Michael Susanto, the head of leadership development and scholarship, said on Monday.

The Teladan leadership program will go on for three and a half years from semester 2-8. Teladan encompasses the following programs: Lead Self (Semester 2-4), Lead Others (Semester 5-6), and Professional Preparation (Semester 7-8), and alumni development. In these phases, Tanoto Scholars --the nickname for the program’s awardees-- have the opportunity to carry out research, sponsorship, community service, internships, career development, study abroad, and network with other Tanoto Scholars across the globe.

Sri Suning Kusumawardani, a director at the Education Ministry, said she welcomed what the Tanoto Foundation had done, be it through Sigap, Pintar, and Teladan programs. 

"Preparing future leaders is important if we wish to create a golden era for Indonesia in 2045. We are hoping for smart citizens who are able to face changes. Tanoto Scholars are agents of change,” Suning said while adding that she wanted the program participants to also be ready to learn new skills.

Muhammad Ruslin, a vice chancellor at Hasanuddin University, also called the Teladan scholarship a wonderful opportunity for its students.

“We have to really prepare [our students] so they can become leaders and the future generations that the people really need. This will boost Indonesia’s competitiveness. Thank you Tanoto Foundation. Hopefully, this can make our children leaders of the future,” Ruslin said.

As of this year, the Tanoto Foundation has provided scholarships to 8,338 Tanoto Scholars. Today, there are 755 students who are active Tanoto Scholars.