Bogor, June 27, 2023 - Indonesian students in Hiroshima, Japan, are pursuing education while simultaneously running a business to fund scholarships. Amidst their academic commitments, the Indonesian Students Association in Hiroshima (PPIH) dedicates itself to contributing to fellow countrymen by providing scholarships to students in Indonesia.
The "Beasiswa Anak Negeri" (BAN), initiated by PPIH in 2017, targets economically disadvantaged and academically accomplished 10th and 11th-grade high school students. Each selected student receives financial aid of one million Indonesian Rupiah per year, contributing significantly to alleviating family economic burdens.
Initially funded by contributions from PPIH members, many of whom are also scholarship recipients, the scholarship scheme supports 10 to 20 students annually. On average, each PPIH member contributes around 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah.
However, Maman Alimansyah, serving as the PPIH Chairman for the 2022-2023 period, recognized the need for an additional funding scheme beyond relying solely on contributions from PPIH members. Considering the financial constraints of students studying abroad, he sought alternative funding methods. Despite the challenges, supporting high school students with scholarships remained a commendable and sustainable initiative.
Maman, an LPDP awardee along with his PPIH colleagues, came up with the idea of starting a business whose profits could be earmarked for scholarships. Through extensive discussions and research, they identified the most potential funding source: selling corn in Japan.
Profits from Corn Sales Fund Scholarships
Maman believed that selling essential and popular commodities would create a quick economic turnover. Corn, a staple food in Japan after rice, was chosen for collaboration with Wakai Farm, a local Japanese farming company capable of cultivating and harvesting corn.
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"Around December 2022, we finalized the concept. We chose white corn for planting, intending to sell each corn for 300 yen or 30,000 Indonesian Rupiah. Out of this, 150 yen goes to Wakai Farm, and the remaining 150 yen contributes to the scholarship fund. I calculated that to achieve approximately 20 million, we needed to sell around 800 corn," explained Maman, currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Hiroshima University.
White corn was chosen for several advantageous reasons, including its sweeter taste compared to yellow corn, a crucial factor in Japan where sweetness levels are limited to a maximum of 21. Testing revealed that white corn had a sweetness level of 18, surpassing yellow corn, which typically measures 15 to 16. Additionally, white corn is rarely produced by Japanese farmers, presenting a market opportunity.
PPIH and Wakai Farm entered into a contract for two to three corn harvests per year. PPIH managed the promotion and sale of corn, proving successful not only among PPI Hiroshima members but also across all PPI Japan members and local residents.
"During a single harvest, more than 850 corn were sold. We were surprised; it was fulfilled in just one harvest, not even three as initially planned," shared the doctoral student at Hiroshima University.
Wakai Farm, which employs many local farmers, recognized the positive efforts of PPI Hiroshima in funding scholarships through corn sales. The farm benefitted not only from fair purchasing prices but also gained attention from various local Japanese media outlets.
Reaping Positive Outcomes, Aiming for Continuity
The collaboration for scholarship funding through this business contract is a legacy of Maman Alimansyah's leadership during his tenure as PPIH Chairman. The initiative has been well-received by local farmers and the Japanese public.
"I tried to think because we, as students, face financial limitations. So, we tried to contribute by buying corn while providing scholarship funds. It was an initiative during our leadership," stated Maman, who also works at the Directorate General of Taxes, Ministry of Finance.
Although the chairmanship of PPIH lasts only a year, LPDP PK-157 awardee Maman aims to ensure the continuity of this scholarship funding collaboration in the upcoming leadership. He is optimistic about providing guidance to the new chairman when he assumes the role of PPI Supervisory Board.
Entrepreneurship and program management are forms of contribution that LPDP awardees can engage in while studying abroad. There's no need to wait until graduation; service work can be done whenever there's an opportunity. Entrepreneurial skills are honed while simultaneously benefiting others.
"Entrepreneurship is about how we can develop ideas, something new, and bring benefits to ourselves, our nation, and others in general," expressed Maman, pursuing studies in the International Economic Development Program.
The possibility of expanding the number of scholarship recipients is not ruled out if profits continue to increase. Maman and other PPIH members are even exploring the potential sale of other profitable agricultural products in the future.