Indonesian Philanthropist in Education

Do you ever heard about Tanoto Foundation scholarship? This is one type of scholarships that is given by Tanoto Foundation. This foundation was established by Sukanto Tanoto as a concern of the education quality problems that happened in Indonesia. Not all of people perhaps know who is Sukanto Tanoto when they heard about his name. Hence, this is short Sukanto Tanoto biography will help you to know about him. 

Sukanto Tanoto was born with the name Tan Kang Hoo in Medan December 25^th, 1949. He is a founder and chairman of RGE or Royal Golden Eagle group which consist s of global resources companies. Many people recognize him as a philanthropist in Indonesia’s education since he gives scholarships for some top universities students in Indonesia through Tanoto Foundation. He and his wife also can be found in the list of The Highland circle in Carnegie Melon University as contributor which gives one million dollars of his money to university students for their life spans. He joined this membership with other over two hundred entities, families, corporations, and also foundations.

Sukanto Tanoto was given the award from Wharton School of Pennsylvania University. This award has been given for whom gives contribution to individual which contribute in global economic and improvement of life quality all over the world. This award was given based on Sukanto Tanoto’s leadership in global business and industrial innovation that spread in Indonesia and China. Beside that, his focus on overcoming poverty through education is another reason why he achieved this award. The owner and founder of this Tanoto foundation are also considered to have good visions and philantrophist characters. Sukanto Tanoto through Tanoto foundation has given many educational scholarships for many students who need. The six top universities in Indonesia that is cooperated to be given scholarship from Tanoto foundation, such as Universitas Gadjah Mada, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Universitas Sumatera Utara, and Universitas Riau.

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Social Work of Tanoto Foundation

Together with his wife, Tinah Bingei Tanoto, Sukanto Tanoto created Tanoto Foundation in 2001. It’s his main foundation to support education and social empowerement in the society. The foundation is fully funded by the Tanotos and it becomes a non-profit organization with the main purpose to give back the benefits that the companies has had to the community. It’s actively involved in real efforts to reduce poverty. Tanoto Foundation is mostly active in social works in Indonesia, Singapore, Chine, and USA.

Tanoto Foundation mostly works on the coming generation. It’s based on the strong belief that the only way to reduce poverty lies in the hands of the young generation who can break the intergenerational poverty if they have the education and social supports. Therefore, Tanoto Foundation tries to give opportunities for these young children to pursue education and it also provides more empowerment opportunities. It also make activities for parents with societal values, so parents can support their children in pursuing education.

Tanoto Foundation has scholarship programs in every degree. It also has training programs for teachers. To support the scholarship programs, this foundation also builds school buildings from kindergartens to junior high schools, providing books and educational equipments, as well as providing research fundings at university level in various areas from forestry, disease detection and prevention, also biomass application.

In the empowerment area, Tanoto Foundation gives more attention in helping small businesses, especially the ones in the rural areas. It gives vocational trainings and microfinance trainings. It gives the chance for those small businesses to promote integrated farming system that will change their traditional way of farming. What used to be the slash and burn farmers will transform into self sufficient and sustainable farmers. Besides the educational and social empowerment support, Tanoto Foundation also provides disaster relief help. Whether it’s in earthquakes, floods, or volcanic eruptions, Tanoto Foundation takes parts to provide financial assistance and material help for the victims.

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His Successful Tracks in Business

Started his business more than 40 years ago, Sukanto Tanoto has found his successful way to become RGE founder and chairman. It’s a global manufacturing company with corporate offices located in several countries, including Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Beijing. He first started his business as spare parts supplier for the oil and construction industries. Then, he decided to join the plywood business. Since then, he’s unstoppable. His business stretches from pulp and paper, oil palm, power generation, and forestry industries. With assets more than US$15 billions, RGE works in 4 operational areas, the pulp and paper business on APRIL, palm oil on Asian Agri and Apical, rayo and specialty pulp on Sateri International, and the lates on the energy area with Pacific Oil and Gas.

Sukanto Tanoto holds to a strong principle in his business. He believes that all his business have to bring goodness to the people, the country, and the company itself. Therefore, he creates programs to ensure his business has taken the responsibility to the environmental and social life. All his companies are known for applying corporate social responsibility on each business. The companies create special programs such as the integrated farming training to transform villagers into self-sufficient farmers. Another CSR program is in providing entreprise programs to support small business, providing vocational training, and in helping creating infrastructure support.

Even though Sukanto Tanoto has had all the success in business, he still has endless passion on education. He might not have the chance to pursue high education in his young age, now with all his wealth and success he manages to take management courses at the finest business schools. He also shows big interest in giving educational help for the communitues. He, along with his family developed Tanoto Foundation in 1981 with its main purpose in reducing poverty and support achievement in humanity. Tanoto Foundation is known for its social works in various areas, from education, disaster relief, and healthcare. The foundation give scholarships for poor students, financial supports for teachers, and helps in providing educational equipments such as school buildings. Sukanto Tanoto becomes well respected members of several executive busines board such as the INSEAD International Council, Wharton Executive Board for Asia, and Wharton Boad of Overseers. He also received several awards for his business achievements.

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