The Wilmar Group is one of the leading private business entities in Indonesia operating in the palm oil plantation sector. In the Central Kalimantan Region, Wilmar CKP runs its business operations in the East Kotawaringin and Seruyan Regencies, where its presence contributes significantly not only to the regional economic activity but also to job creation and community development.
As of April 30, 2026, the Wilmar Central Kalimantan Project-CKP employs a total of 13,039 employees, including those working in the palm oil mills. Managing a workforce of this scale requires more than just operational efficiency. It also demands a strong commitment to employee welfare, infrastructure support, and long-term human resource development. Therefore, Wilmar continues to prioritize the provision of essential facilities and opportunities that support the daily lives and future growth of our employees.
One of the most critical needs is education. Education is a fundamental necessity for every individual and plays a vital role in shaping personal development, economic opportunities, and career advancement. Through education, individuals gain access to broader knowledge, better skills, higher income potential, and greater confidence in facing professional challenges. For employees, education can be a pathway to promotion, expanded responsibilities, and long-term career growth. For the company, educated employees are an invaluable asset as they contribute to higher performance, stronger problem-solving capabilities, and better adaptability in an increasingly competitive environment.
Recognizing the strategic importance of education, the Wilmar Central Kalimantan Project-CKP consistently encourages its employees to continue developing themselves through both internal and external learning opportunities. Internally, employees are supported through various training programs designed to enhance technical skills, operational knowledge, discipline, and leadership capacity. Externally, Wilmar has opened opportunities for employees to pursue higher education through partnerships with universities and higher education institutions.
A tangible manifestation of this commitment is the partnership with Gajayana University, Malang, through a Partnership Class program specifically designed for employees who wish to pursue undergraduate studies while remaining actively employed. This initiative reflects Wilmar's belief that employee development should not stop at the workplace, but should extend to formal education that can strengthen both individual potential and organizational capabilities.
The Partnership Class program with Gajayana University was launched in 2021 and ran until 2026. The program offered undergraduate education in two study programs: Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Information Systems. These fields of study are highly relevant to the company's needs and the professional development of employees, particularly in areas related to administration, management, information processing, digital support systems, and business operations. Through this program, employees could enrich their academic knowledge while continuing to fulfill their responsibilities at the company.
The implementation of this program also highlights the importance of flexibility and mutual understanding between academia and the industry. Employees participating in these classes had to balance work schedules, academic assignments, exams, and family responsibilities. Therefore, their success in completing this program is not only an academic achievement but also a reflection of perseverance, time management, commitment, and a strong motivation to keep growing.
A proud and memorable moment took place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when the bachelor's degree certificate presentation ceremony was held at the Wilmar Central Kalimantan Project (CKP) Regional Office at 15:30 WIB. This event marked the official completion of the study period for the class of 2021 from the partnership class program and served as a celebration of the graduates' hard work and dedication.
The ceremony was attended by senior leaders from Wilmar Central Kalimantan Region and Gajayana University, Malang. Representing Wilmar, the event was attended by myself as the Plantation Head, along with the CKP General Manager, HR Manager, and FAA Manager. Our presence reflected the company's strong support for employee development and the importance of education as part of our long-term workforce strategy.
From Gajayana University, the event was attended by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Ernani Hadiyati, S.E., M.S.; the Head of the Management Study Program, Dr. Yuni K. Arumsari, S.E., M.M., Ak.; and lecturer Mr. M. Taufik Akbar, S.T., M.M. Their participation symbolized the strong academic partnership between the university and Wilmar, as well as the university's commitment to supporting working students on their educational journey.
In my remarks during the ceremony as the Plantation Head, I extended my warmest congratulations to all the graduates. I expressed my admiration for their perseverance and dedication in completing their studies while maintaining their professional duties. I acknowledged that this achievement required sacrifice, discipline, and a strong personal commitment, and commended the graduates for successfully reaching this significant milestone.
I also emphasized that the knowledge gained through higher education should not stop at receiving a bachelor's degree. Instead, it must become a source of value-added for the company, the workplace, and the broader community. I encouraged the graduates to practically apply their academic learning, whether through improving job performance, making better decisions, fostering stronger teamwork, or contributing more broadly to the development of our organization.
I also conveyed the commitment of the Wilmar Central Kalimantan Project to continue its educational cooperation with Gajayana University. Thus, this partnership is not just a one-time program, but part of a broader vision to support employee development and create opportunities for the next generation of workers to upgrade their qualifications. I also expressed my hope that the graduates would continue to build their careers within the Wilmar Central Kalimantan Region and serve as role models for other employees who aspire to pursue higher education.
The significance of this partnership class goes beyond individual academic success. For the company, this program directly contributes to human resource development. Employees with higher educational qualifications are better equipped to take on broader responsibilities, adapt to new technologies, understand organizational systems, and contribute to continuous improvement. This is highly crucial in a large and dynamic operational environment like the plantation and milling industry, where efficiency, communication, administration, and problem-solving are vital for sustainable performance.
For the employees themselves, the opportunity to earn a university degree while working is a powerful form of empowerment. It provides them with confidence, a stronger professional identity, and better career growth prospects. It also demonstrates that the company values them not just as workers, but as individuals with potential, ambition, and future aspirations. This kind of recognition often leads to greater motivation, stronger loyalty, and a deeper sense of ownership toward the organization.
For Gajayana University, this partnership illustrates the practical relevance of higher education in addressing industry needs. By offering programs tailored for working professionals, the university extends its educational mission beyond the traditional classroom and directly contributes to workforce development. This type of collaboration is an example of how universities can play an active role in national development by preparing human resources who are both academically competent and professionally ready.
The event also carries a broader social message. In regions where access to higher education may be limited by geographic factors, costs, or work demands, partnerships like this create a meaningful pathway for advancement. It shows that education can be made more inclusive and accessible when institutions work together toward a shared purpose. In this regard, the ceremony was not just a celebration of academic achievement, but also a reflection of social progress and institutional cooperation.
This graduation ceremony was also documented through several supporting materials and attachments. These include the list of graduates from the Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Information Systems programs, the management leadership profile of Wilmar CKP, the official speeches delivered by the Plantation Head & General Manager, as well as a series of photographs capturing the presentation of bachelor's degrees and group photos of the graduates with Wilmar leadership and university representatives. This documentation serves as a valuable record of the event and preserves the memories of an important milestone in the lives of the graduates.
As the Partnership Class program for the class of 2021 concludes in 2026, its success stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration, commitment, and a shared vision. It demonstrates that when companies invest in education, they are investing in the long-term strength of their human resources. When employees are given the opportunity to grow, the organization grows with them. And when academic institutions partner with industry, the result is a more capable, motivated, and competitive workforce.
The Wilmar CKP initiative with Gajayana University reflects a forward-looking approach to corporate responsibility and human resource development. It shows that employee welfare is not confined to physical facilities or compensation alone, but also encompasses opportunities for personal growth, intellectual development, and professional advancement.
The success of this program should therefore not be seen merely as the graduation of a group of employees, but as a meaningful milestone in the ongoing journey of organizational development. It is a story of perseverance, partnership, and progress. It is a reminder that education remains one of the most powerful tools to transform lives and strengthen institutions. And it is a tangible example of how Wilmar continues to build not only plantations and mills, but also people, opportunities, and the future.
By: Lo Koon Wai
