- Posted by : Asdos 2021
- on : May 15, 2026
Wilmar CKP Supports Employee Education
Through Partnership with UNIGA Malang
Wilmar Group is one of Indonesia’s prominent private business entities engaged in oil palm plantation operations. In the Central Kalimantan Region, Wilmar CKP conducts its business activities in Kotawaringin Timur and Seruyan Regencies, where its operations contribute significantly not only to regional economic activity but also to employment creation and community development.
As of April 30, 2026, Wilmar Central
Kalimantan Project-CKP employed a total of 13,039 employees, including those
working in palm oil mills. Managing such a large workforce requires more than
operational efficiency; it demands a strong commitment to employee welfare,
infrastructure support, and long-term human capital development. For this
reason, Wilmar continues to prioritize providing essential facilities and
opportunities that support the daily lives and future growth of our employees.
Among the most vital of these needs is
education. Education is a fundamental necessity for every individual, playing a
decisive role in shaping personal development, economic opportunity, and career
advancement. Through education, individuals gain access to broader knowledge,
improved skills, higher income potential, and greater confidence in facing
professional challenges. For employees, education serves as a pathway toward
promotion, expanded responsibility, and long-term career growth. For companies,
educated employees represent an invaluable asset, contributing to higher
performance, stronger problem-solving capabilities, and greater adaptability in
an increasingly competitive environment.
Recognizing the strategic importance of
education, Wilmar Central Kalimantan Project-CKP has consistently encouraged
its employees to pursue continuous self-development 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 strategic
partnerships with universities and higher learning institutions.
One of the most meaningful
manifestations of this commitment is the partnership with Gajayana University,
Malang, through a Partnership Class program specifically designed for employees
wishing to pursue undergraduate studies while remaining active in the
workplace. This initiative reflects Wilmar’s belief that employee development
should not stop in the workplace, but extend to formal education capable of
strengthening both individual potential and organizational capability.
The Partnership Class program with
Gajayana University was launched in 2021 and ran through 2026. The program
offered undergraduate education across two study programs: Bachelor of
Management and Bachelor of Information Systems. These fields of study were
highly relevant to the company's operational 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 enriched their academic knowledge while
continuing to fulfill their responsibilities at the company.
The implementation of the program also
demonstrated the importance of flexibility and mutual understanding between
academia and industry. Employees participating in the classes had to balance
demanding work schedules, academic assignments, examinations, and family
responsibilities. Their success in completing the program is therefore not only
an academic achievement, but also a reflection of perseverance, effective time
management, unwavering commitment, and a strong drive for self-improvement.
A proud and memorable milestone took
place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when the Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
Handover Ceremony was held at the Regional Office of Wilmar Central Kalimantan
Project (CKP) at 15:30 WIB. The event marked the official completion of the
study period for the 2021 cohort and served as a grand celebration of the
graduates' hard work and dedication.
The ceremony was attended by senior
leaders from both Wilmar Central Kalimantan Region and Gajayana University,
Malang. Representing Wilmar, the event was attended by myself as Plantation
Head, alongside the General Manager of CKP, the HR Manager, and the FAA
Manager. Our presence reflected the company’s steadfast support for employee
development and the high value it places on education as part of its long-term
workforce strategy.
Representing Gajayana University, the
ceremony 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 faculty 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 institution's commitment to supporting working professionals on
their educational journey.
Remarks and Strategic Impact
In my remarks during the ceremony as
Plantation Head, I extended my warmest congratulations to all graduates. I
expressed deep admiration for their persistence and dedication in completing
their studies while continuously fulfilling their professional duties. I
acknowledged that this achievement required sacrifice, discipline, and 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 end with receiving a bachelor’s
degree. Instead, it must serve as a continuous source of added value for the
company, the workplace, and the broader community. I encouraged the graduates
to apply their academic learning in practical ways—whether through improved
work performance, better decision-making, stronger teamwork, or broader
contributions to organizational development.
Furthermore, I conveyed Wilmar Central
Kalimantan Project’s commitment to sustaining its educational partnership with
Gajayana University. This collaboration is not merely a one-time initiative,
but part of a broader vision to support employee advancement and create
pathways for future generations of workers to elevate their qualifications. I
also expressed hope that the graduates would continue to build their careers
within the Wilmar Central Kalimantan Region and serve as inspiring role models
for colleagues aspiring to pursue higher education.
The significance of this partnership
class extends beyond individual academic success:
- For the Company: The program contributes directly to
strategic human resource development. Employees with higher academic
qualifications are better equipped to take on broader responsibilities,
adapt to emerging technologies, understand organizational dynamics, and
drive continuous improvement. This is particularly vital in a large-scale,
dynamic operational environment such as the palm oil plantation and
milling industry, where efficiency, effective communication,
administrative rigor, and problem-solving are essential for sustainable
growth.
- For the Employees: The opportunity to earn a
university degree while working serves as a powerful form of empowerment.
It instills self-confidence, a stronger professional identity, and
enhanced prospects for career progression. Moreover, it demonstrates that
the company values them not merely as workers, but as individuals with
potential, ambition, and future aspirations—fostering greater motivation,
loyalty, and a deeper sense of belonging.
- For Gajayana University: The partnership illustrates
the practical relevance of higher education in directly responding to
industry demands. By offering tailored programs for working professionals,
the university extends its academic mission beyond traditional classrooms,
contributing actively to national workforce readiness.
- For the Broader Community: In regions where access
to higher education may be constrained by geography, cost, or work
demands, initiatives like this forge meaningful pathways for advancement,
proving that education can be made inclusive and accessible when
institutions unite with a shared purpose.
The graduation ceremony was documented
with several supporting attachments, including the list of graduates from the
Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Information Systems programs, the
executive profiles of Wilmar CKP’s management leadership, the official speeches
delivered by the Plantation Head & General Manager, and a series of
commemorative photographs documenting the certificate handover.
As the 2021 cohort concludes in 2026,
its success stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strategic
collaboration, shared vision, and commitment. It proves that when a company
invests in education, it invests in the long-term strength of its people. When
employees grow, the organization thrives alongside them.
Wilmar CKP’s joint initiative with
Gajayana University reflects a forward-looking approach to corporate social
responsibility and human capital development. It reinforces the principle that
employee welfare encompasses not only physical facilities or financial
compensation, but also opportunities for intellectual growth, personal
enrichment, and career advancement. This journey reminds us that education
remains one of the most transformative tools for empowering lives,
strengthening institutions, and building a brighter future.
By: Lo Koon Wai