InfoSAWIT, YOGYAKARTA – Indonesia’s effort to strengthen palm oil human capital through scholarship programs is beginning to show tangible results. Institut Pertanian Stiper (INSTIPER) Yogyakarta has officially released 50 graduates from the Palm Oil Human Resources Scholarship Program (SDM PKS) funded by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), with more than half already securing employment before graduation.
The graduation release ceremony took place at the INSTIPER Auditorium in Yogyakarta on 22 May 2026.
The first batch of scholarship recipients consisted of 26 students from the Bachelor of Palm Oil Plantation (SPKS) concentration under the Agrotechnology Study Program and 24 students from the Bachelor of Plantation Business Management (SMBP) concentration under Agribusiness. The students began their studies in the 2022/2023 academic year and completed their education in an average of 3.7 years.
INSTIPER Rector Dr. Harsawardana praised the government and BPDP for consistently supporting the development of Indonesia’s palm oil workforce through scholarship funding.
“We thank the state for facilitating palm oil human resource development through the SDM PKS scholarship. We also appreciate BPDP for continuing to trust INSTIPER in administering this program,” Harsawardana said in a statement received by InfoSAWIT on Saturday (23/5/2026).
According to Harsawardana, INSTIPER continues to adapt its curriculum to meet industry demands and technological developments. The university maintains strategic partnerships with 141 companies that regularly recruit students and graduates.
Support for the regeneration of skilled palm oil professionals was also emphasized by BPDP Director of Downstream Fund Distribution, Mohammad Alfansyah, who described the scholarship initiative as a long-term government investment aimed at strengthening the national palm oil sector.
“The SDM PKS scholarship is a form of government investment, so it is only natural that the state expects meaningful results,” Alfansyah said.
He stressed that younger generations must take a larger role in managing plantations and supporting palm oil replanting efforts to maintain long-term sector productivity.
“We should not have replanted palm trees managed only by older generations. It is time for young people to make real contributions in the field,” he said.
Employment absorption emerged as one of the program’s strongest indicators of success. Data presented during the ceremony showed that 56 percent of graduates had already secured jobs, while 36 percent obtained golden ticket recruitment offers from major palm oil companies including PT Karyamas, PT Kayan, PT Sinarmas Tbk, PT Triputra Agro Persada, PT Palma Serasih, and PT Citra Borneo Indah.
The golden ticket scheme enables graduates to enter employment without undergoing additional recruitment testing after demonstrating strong performance during internships.
Around 20 percent of graduates received company recommendations, four percent pursued further education, and the remainder are currently undergoing recruitment processes.
Academic achievements also highlighted the inaugural scholarship cohort. Dani Iqbal from the Agrotechnology Program and Gilberto Silva Lubis from the Agribusiness Program both earned the highest GPA of 3.93.
Representing the scholarship recipients, Dani Iqbal expressed appreciation to BPDP and INSTIPER for creating educational opportunities for children of Smallholders and plantation workers.
“We promise to contribute by applying the knowledge we have gained to help develop Indonesia’s palm oil industry,” Dani said.
Gilberto added that studying at INSTIPER not only strengthened academic capability but also expanded professional skills through programs such as Drone Academy, English Academy, AI Academy, and IoT Academy.
Several scholarship recipients also achieved national recognition during their studies. One of them, Tegar Arief Kurniawan, received multiple awards for scientific research and innovation projects at university and industry levels.
The success of INSTIPER’s first SDM PKS scholarship cohort reflects how investment in education and workforce regeneration is beginning to produce a new generation of professionals ready to support the future growth of Indonesia’s palm oil industry. (T2)
