Bentang Asa Foundation of IPB Supports Students of Around the Campus to Pursue Their Higher Level of Study
Students of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) through the Ministry of Social and Community Development of the Executive Board of Students of Bogor Agricultural University (Sospemas BEM KM IPB) 2017 have established the philanthropic forum which is engaged in education, that is Bentang Asa Foundation (BAF). Bentang Asa Foundation is open and non-profit, professional, religious, and togetherness organization.
A total of 14 students were granted the BAF scholarships. They are well-selected Elementary School (SD) pupils from around IPB campus who have passed the predetermined criteria. Selection processes among others were based on their 5th Year class assessment as stated in their Raport, must be among the best 10 students of the 5th grade in school, economic conditions of pupil’ family, as well as interviews and direct surveys to the homes of each beswan (candidate). The decision to provide scholarships for 5th grade of elementary schools pupils was based on the results of the previous survey, as in this grade below-average students are vulnerable to bullying, and increases dropout rates.
"The background of the establishment of BAF is the high dropout rates in Indonesia, especially in the Bogor Regency, that includes the elementary schools of around IPB campus. BAF's main target is pupils around the campus. The funding support program activities was inspired by one of Mr. Anis Baswedan's quotation "Educating is the task of educated people".
"We want to encourage the social participation of students of IPB for the education development of children around the campus. We realize that not all students want to participate in teaching. For those who do not have time to teach they may support the planned program by providing donations, "said Rahardian Okta as Minister Sospemas BEM KM IPB 2017.
"Bentang Asa Foundation has also collaborated with several stakeholders to provide access and facilities to channelize education donation and procurement of self-improvement programs for the students towards their homeland and advance the nation of," he explained.
The granted scholarships are not always funding support. The scholarship recipients may be granted some school supplies, training (recitation of Al-Qur'an and Camp BAF) and briefings, both for the beswan and the beswan's parents themselves.
"The visible changes of the scholarship recipients is improving their ability to memorize, some even memorized 30 juz within 6 months of coaching. Initially some said that they were shy, now they think they can be more outgoing and confident. Many of the recipients of the scholarship who initially were asked what they want to be when grown up, some of them just answered that they wanted to be angkot (public transportation) drivers. But when they were asked at the closing ceremony after they have attended courses, their responds were varied. They are also more passionate about achieving their goals, "explained Rahardian Okta.
He expected that the scholarship recipients will pursue their higher level of study into the junior high school (SMP). Furthermore, the multiplying impacts of the scholarship for the community around the campus, and IPB. The total number of beswan will be increased. (Wied)
