Press Release

Jakarta, August 21, 2026 – Reski Yanda Putri’s aspiration to pursue higher education outside Sumatra led her to an opportunity that would change the course of her life. Born on October 20, 2020, Putri eventually found her path to pursuing higher education on Java through the BIDIKSIBA Program (Educational Scholarship for Students Living Around Bukit Asam).

Putri recalled that she first learned about Bukit Asam’s educational scholarship program from an employee in her village. With this information, she immediately visited the Bukit Asam office and obtained the BIDIKSIBA application form.

Her determination paid off. Putri was accepted into the Business Administration Study Program at Malang State Polytechnic (POLINEMA). For her, studying in Malang was more than simply moving to another city.

During her three years in Malang, Putri gained a wealth of new experiences. Living far from Sawahlunto introduced her to different environments, cultures, languages, and ways of thinking. She also actively participated in communities and various campus activities, which helped her develop her skills and expand her network.

“Since I rarely traveled outside my hometown before, I truly felt like I was seeing a whole new world when I pursued my education in Malang,” she recalled.

These experiences built her confidence and enriched the skills she carried with her into the workforce. For Putri, BIDIKSIBA became an important turning point in her life.

“It was incredible. It changed my life 180 degrees. From my career and mindset to the soft skills I have, so many things in my life have changed,” she said.

Putri’s journey is one example of BIDIKSIBA’s impact in expanding access to higher education for young people living around PTBA’s operational areas. In Sawahlunto, the program continues to receive strong enthusiasm from the community, particularly from underprivileged families seeking opportunities for their children to pursue higher education.

For Putri, such an opportunity deserves to be embraced wholeheartedly. She encourages young people to have the courage to go through the process, including when facing failure.

“Don’t be afraid of failure in any process. If you fail, that’s okay, because I believe there will be a victory ahead that I will eventually be grateful for,” she said.

Yayuk, one of the BIDIKSIBA program managers in Sawahlunto, hopes the number of scholarship recipients can continue to grow, allowing more young people to pursue higher education and build a better future.