In order to educate children of the nation, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and PT Gema Graha Sarana Tbk.-Vivere Group agreed to establish cooperation. An MoU was signed by UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., and President Commissioner of PT Gema Graha Sarana Tbk.-Vivere Group, Dr. Pulung Peranginangin in the Leadership Meeting Room, Wednesday (2/6).
At the same time, an MoU of Vivere for Education scholarships cooperation was also signed between UGM Director of Student Affairs, Drs. Haryanto, M.Si., and Managing Director of PT Gema Graha Sarana Tbk.-Vivere Group, Ir. Ilda Imelda. As an early actualization of this partnership, PT Gema Graha Sarana Tbk.-Vivere Group provides educational scholarships to eight students of UGM. Each student is awarded IDR 800,000/month. In addition, the students also receive IDR 300,000/semester for book allowance and IDR 50,000 for health care through the Gadjah Mada Medical Center (GMC). "We hope that this assistance would help educate the children of the nation and we express our gratitude to UGM for its participation in supporting the VIVERE for Education Program," said Pulung Paranginangin in his speech.
He explained that the VIVERE for Education program is a manifestation of their gratitude for the 25 years of PT VIVERE Group. This program can run well due to the support of other parties, one of them is UGM. The VIVERE for Education program was launched in August 2009. For this program, PT VIVERE has reserved 3% of its furniture product sales in retail stores in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan. "Unfortunately, we do not have any stores in Yogyakarta, but we intend to have a store in this city," he added.
PT Vivere Group plans to conduct this scholarship program for one year. The funds will be used to finance the high school/equivalent graduates who are academically excellent but especially those from disadvantaged families. "VIVERE for Education is conducted together with universities that have the same vision and mission with VIVERE, which is to educate the children of the nation, one of them is the UGM," he said.
In his observations, there are still many children having a very good achievement, but no luck. Therefore, he hoped this cooperation will always be sustainable and the number of scholarship recipients will continue to grow from year to year. The Rector was surprised that the PT Gema Graha Sarana Tbk.-Vivere Group reserves 3% of its business results for UGM student’s educational scholarships. He hoped this good deeds will be followed by other companies. With these scholarships, the Rector believed that PT Gema Graha Sarana-Vivere Group has the same values with the vision and mission of UGM, which in all events always lead to the actualization of civilization welfare, and usefulness. "Because that’s where successful and unsuccessful stories often appear. How to make good people who are driven by values," said Rector.
The Rector added that in education process, UGM designed the simulation of Micro- Indonesia. The students who are accepted at UGM are the brilliant students, but mostly are economically disadvantaged. "They are called smart-poor, smart but coming from disadvantaged families," he explained. Therefore, the UGM always sends 2000 letters to high school principals throughout Indonesia in order to draw the smart-poor students. From this effort, UGM expects to receive data from the public about the condition of the children who excel but economically disadvantaged. "Later, we will select the students from this data. If accepted, they will be give scholarships," said the Rector.
He said that the amount of UGM scholarships is not always the same as it is based on the need. "It is not even, because the condition of society is also different. In addition to the smart-poor programs, UGM also solicit student achievement tracks. They are the winners of scientific contests, talented sportsmen, talented artists, and regional delegates," he explained.
Seen attending the MoU signing were UGM Executive Secretary, Drs. Djoko Moerdiyanto, MA., Director of Asset Maintenance and Management, Dr. Singgih Hawibowo, Director of PT Gama Multi, Dr. Bambang Purwono, and Head of Cooperation Administrative Office, Dra. Tristiana Chandra Dewi, M.Si.