InfoSAWIT, MENDALO – Jambi University (UNJA) is reinforcing its role in developing top-tier human resources for the national palm oil industry. The university recently held a public lecture for students who received scholarships from the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), a program aimed at fostering skilled professionals for the industry.

The event was opened by UNJA's Vice Rector for Cooperation, Public Relations, and Information Systems, Prof. Revis Asra, and attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Jefri Marzal. The attendees were students who had been awarded scholarships from the BPDP for Palm Oil Plantation Human Resources (PKS) program.

In his address, Prof. Revis expressed gratitude for BPDP's support and voiced hope for the program's expansion. "This year, we have been fortunate to receive a BPDP scholarship for 30 students in the Chemical Analysis study program," he stated. "We hope that by 2026, this scholarship won't just be for the children of palm oil farmers but can also include the children of coconut and cocoa farmers. This aligns with the BPDP Chairman's directive during our cooperation signing."

The main speaker was Darmansyah Basyaruddin, a member of the BPDP Palm Oil Plantation Human Resources Development Committee. In his presentation titled "The Importance of Palm Oil Human Resources Development," he emphasized that the palm oil industry requires a workforce that is not only competent but also adaptable to global challenges. "The development of curricula, graduate profiles, and teaching competencies must be truly aligned with industry needs," he explained. "This scholarship is expected to produce professional, ready-to-work human resources who can ensure the sustainability of Indonesia's palm oil industry."

Through this scholarship program, UNJA and BPDP hope to create a new generation capable of boosting productivity and strengthening the competitiveness of the palm oil industry, a strategic sector that supports the national economy. (T2)