Sitti Aminah Muslimah (21), a student at the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is one of the recipients of the Freeport Indonesia Scholarship. Born and raised in Jayapura, Papua, Sitti is of Bugis descent, with her family having settled in Papua since her grandfather relocated as a transmigrant from South Sulawesi. She is currently studying in the Department of Forest Management with a strong determination to one day contribute to the development of her home region.
The eldest of three siblings, she comes from a modest family, with a father who works as a farmer and a mother who is a homemaker.
“I want to improve my capacity and broaden my perspective by studying outside of Papua,” she said during an interview on Monday, Jun. 30, 2025.
Her decision to pursue education at UGM was motivated by her desire to study at the best university in Indonesia.
She chose forestry as her field of study because of its alignment with Papua’s rich and largely untapped natural resources.
For Sitti, forestry not only offers a promising career path but also serves as a way to actively contribute to environmental conservation in her homeland.
“I enjoy outdoor activities, and I see that there are still many opportunities in the forestry sector in Papua,” she explained.
Before receiving the scholarship, Sitti faced significant financial challenges in funding her education independently.
As the first child in the family, she was acutely aware that the financial burden of education extended beyond herself, with two younger siblings still in school.
She expressed deep gratitude when the scholarship from PT Freeport Indonesia arrived while she was actively seeking financial aid.
“Alhamdulillah, this scholarship has been a tremendous help, especially in easing the burden on my parents,” she said.
Sitti has been receiving the scholarship since her third semester after passing an administrative selection process conducted by UGM’s Directorate of Student Affairs.
She was selected based on her regional origin and academic qualifications, without having to go through a written test or interview.
She admitted that she never expected to be chosen, as she had never received any scholarship before.
“I was contacted directly, and at that moment, I felt incredibly grateful because the scholarship came at exactly the right time,” she shared.
The scholarship covers her full tuition fee (UKT), allowing Sitti to focus on academics and student activities.
The funds that would have been used for tuition can now be redirected to other needs, such as fieldwork expenses and daily necessities.
A member of the 2021 cohort, Sitti acknowledged that this financial support has greatly lightened her load.
“Fieldwork can be quite expensive, and thanks to this scholarship, I no longer have to burden my parents,” she said.
Although the scholarship does not include a monthly stipend, Sitti feels even more motivated to maintain strong academic performance.
She is committed to keeping her GPA high to fulfill the scholarship requirements and to honor the trust that has been placed in her.
In addition, she actively participates in several student organizations, including the Forest Management Student Association (KMMH) and the Islamic Forestry Student Association (KMIH).
“This scholarship pushes me to study harder and prove that I’m deserving of it,” she emphasized.
Another benefit she has experienced is the freedom from having to work part-time to pay for her studies.
This has allowed her to concentrate fully on her coursework and stay on track to graduate on time.
She has also taken part in field assistantships and collaborative research with faculty members.
“With this scholarship, I can fully focus on my studies without having to work while attending school,” she expressed gratefully.
According to Sitti, the Freeport Indonesia Scholarship stands out from other programs due to its long-term commitment to supporting students until graduation.
Unlike many scholarships that are limited to eight semesters, this program offers peace of mind, especially for those who may need more time to complete their studies.
“I believe PT Freeport will continue to support us until graduation, in line with the commitment they made from the start,” she said.
Although PT Freeport Indonesia currently organizes no routine activities or coaching sessions for scholarship recipients, Sitti still feels part of a trusted community.
She hopes that in the future, there will be opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow recipients to build networks and develop further.
Nonetheless, she values the scholarship as an extraordinary opportunity.
“I haven’t met any of the other recipients since the scholarship was awarded, but I still feel proud to be part of something significant,” she said.
After graduation, Sitti plans to work in forestry or environmental fields, particularly in reclamation and natural resource management.
She is also open to pursuing a master’s degree if given the opportunity and proper support.
Currently, she is conducting her final research on carbon storage in community forests in Pacarjo Village, Gunungkidul.
“My research calculates the carbon absorption capacity of teak trees as part of efforts to mitigate climate change,” she noted.
She expressed sincere appreciation to PT Freeport Indonesia for the support provided, which she says has made a profound impact on her educational journey.
Sitti hopes the scholarship program can be expanded to reach more Papuan students across various universities in Indonesia.
For her, education is the key to unlocking a better future.
“I am very thankful to PT Freeport for easing my family’s financial burden and giving me the chance to study in peace,” she said.
As a closing message, Sitti shared words of encouragement for future scholarship recipients.
She hopes they will uphold the responsibility entrusted to them and excel in their academic pursuits.
She believes that dedication to learning and a sense of accountability are the best ways to honor the support received.
“Study earnestly so that PT Freeport will be proud to have chosen you as scholarship recipients,” she concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian and Sitti Aminah Muslimah