SF USP Participated in Education & Training Expo in Palembang

From 13th to 17th June 2007, together with Department of Education in MUBA, SF USP participated in the Education & Training Expo held in Palembang, South Sumatera. Aimed to familiarize visitors with Local Government’s education programs and its partnership with SF USP in MUBA Regency, the exhibition gained positive responses from the visitors. “Before 2005, SMAN 2 Unggul Sekayu was less heard of. Now they’ve become quite famous here, with new school building and facilities such as radio station and internet café,” Reny from IBA University, Palembang, commented. Many visitors are also eager to have SF USP implemented in more schools in South Sumatera and across Indonesia. “I think SF USP should be implemented in more schools within a region and in schools all across Indonesia,” Said Martind, a student of LIPDA, Palembang.

USP Students' Artwork

Windu, our final year student from SMAN 4 Denpasar shared a canvas with renowned Balinese artist I Wayan Sujana, often nicknamed 'Suklu', in a painting collaboration themed 'Art Tsunami'

L-R: Windu Segara, Peter, and Suklu

Meanwhile, here are some pictures from SMAN 10 Malang's Mural Painting competition held in conjunction with the school's anniversary celebration in February 2007:

Visioning Program for Madrasahs

After its commitment to improving the quality of Madrasah at Islamic Boarding Schools in Rembang and Madura, Sampoerna Foundation held a visioning program for the selected Madrasahs on 10th and 11th May 2007 in Jakarta as a follow-up to the MOU signings in February. The visioning program was attended by Head of Yayasan, Head of Pesantren, Pesantren Administrator, and School Principals & Resident School Assistants from 5 selected schools under Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Tholibin, Rembang, and Pondok Pesantren Annuqayah , Madura.

L-R: HA Pandji Taufiq, Head of Yayasan Annuqayah , and Eddy Henry, Director of Programs and Alumni Affairs, signing technical agreement

The two-day program is aimed to formally welcome participants into the SF family and to familiarize them with Sampoerna Foundation’s aims to improve the quality of education in the chosen Madrasah at those Islamic Boarding Schools. The program consists of a presentation by Director of Madrasah Education at Directorate General of Islamic Education, Department of Religious Affairs, Indonesia, Drs. H. Firdaus, M.Pd. on “Government Policy in Madrasah Aliyah Development,” and presentations on the Madrasahs’ need-assessment results, education programs, as well as discussions on the cooperation procedure. It followed with the signing of technical agreements between Sampoerna Foundation, Pesantren Raudlatuth Tholibin and Pesantren Annuqayah, represented by Eddy F. Henry, Director of Program and Alumni Affairs, Sampoerna Foundation; KH Yahya C. Staquf, Head of Yayasan Al Ibriz Rembang (Pesantren Raudlatuth Tholibin); and HA Pandji Taufiq, Head of Yayasan Annuqayah Sumenep Madura (Pesantren Annuqayah).

SMAN 12 Makassar Joins SF-USP

An MoU between Sampoerna Foundation and the local government of Makassar was signed to confirm the selection of SMAN 12 Makassar as the first school from East Indonesia to undergo school quality improvement program under SF-USP. The memorandum, signed by Elan Merdy, Chief Operating Officer of Sampoerna Foundation and Mayor of Makassar, Drs. Iswan Abdul Latif, at the Mayor’s Office in Makasar on National Education Day (05/02) was to solidify this cooperative effort.

Sampoerna Foundation will provide guidance towards improving the quality of SMAN 12 through training of its principal and teachers, upgrading of the curriculum, expansion of its library and laboratory, and the provision of native speakers for English classes, among other things, while the regional administration will handle the physical repair and renovation of the school building/facilities.

The program, a collaborative project among Sampoerna Foundation, Makassar Municipal Education Agency, and Makassar Local Administration, is expected to bring SMAN 12 to become a model school for the Eastern region of Indonesia in the next three years.

Youth Leadership Training 2007

Despite being held on a public holiday, the two-day Youth Leadership Training program was an exciting eye-opening experience to English teachers and students from 14 USP schools all around Indonesia. Not only did they gain new knowledge in leadership and communication, but they also had an unforgettable experience of meeting new friends.

In class, students and teachers alike stepped out of their comfort zones to engage in interactive learning activities such as giving impromptu speeches in English, preparing an effective speech, exchanging ideas and constructive criticisms, as well as fellow mentoring.

Conquering fear and speaking in the watchful eyes of others weren’t easy, but most participants were able to overcome their fear of public speaking. Kartika from SMAN 19 Surabaya, for example, was scared to speak English ever since Junior High School. On the first day of training, she was extremely uncomfortable to speak in front of others, and her speech only lasted for 20 seconds. She made a huge improvement and managed to speak twice longer on the second day of training. On the other hand, Ananta from SMAN 4 Denpasar managed to speak with confidence in front of Excellence Toasmasters members, and came out a winner for the table-topic session.

Kartika from SMAN 19 Surabaya

Ananta from SMAN 4 Denpasar

Teachers also did equally well. By the second day of training, the teachers were already communicating in English with their peers and members of Toastmasters. They shared ideas of what’s happening in their schools, exchanged views on education in Indonesia, and compared their plans on how to best establish a youth leadership club in their respective schools. The cohesiveness among teachers were strong. Ibu Lilik from SMAN 10 Malang was very enthusiastic to video-cam the proceedings of a Toastmaster meeting and volunteered to duplicate the video and mail it to all participants. “It’s for knowledge-sharing sake,” she said.

teacher-student interaction

Outside class, the students and teachers from various cultural backgrounds clicked instantly and forged a closer bonding among themselves. They gelled very well since the very day they met, expanding their horizons and learning a lot from each other. And together they experienced Jakarta. The teachers took their first Busway ride to Blok M; while the students were more interested in hanging out at Plaza Semanggi, enjoying their J.Co donuts and sight-seeing. Some of the students had culture shock upon seeing Plaza Semanggi. “The way the female visitors dress is so different from that of Aceh. Many wear short pants and do not wear veils like most women in Aceh do,” Samsuar from SMAN 1 Syamtalira Aron said.

Instant friends


Using cushion to warm up

Overall, the students and teachers were very satisfied with the training program. “Hopefully there will be another training like this next year,” Ananta (SMAN 4 Denpasar) and Ibu Esther (SMAN 2 Balikpapan) said. Other students couldn’t agree more. “We have never even dreamt of visiting Jakarta and being among people from various parts of Indonesia. This is definitely an unforgettable experience,” Fakhururrazi from SMAN 1 Tanah Luas said.

USP Provides 'Soft' Skills Training to Students

According to a recent international survey on quality of human resources, Indonesia ranked 59th among 60 developing countries surveyed (Jakarta Post, Opinion and Editorial - September 25, 2006). The finding, which reflects Indonesia’s critical state of human resource underdevelopment, has sparked Manpower and Transmigration Minister Erman Suparno to question the quality of education in Indonesia and its relevance to the demands of the working industry.

Incompetence, which often derives from the absence of crucial technical and soft-skills training, has inevitably translated into poor human resource and high unemployment rate in this country. “The industries have offered numerous job opportunities but they cannot be filled because of the absence people or lack of competence,” the Minister said. “The education program is not linked to the labor market.”

Complaints on how formal learning institutions fail to address the dynamic requirements of the working industry are often heard across the media. While many Indonesian schools are struggling to provide proper technical, subject-content knowledge to students, soft skills such as interpersonal and leadership skills which are no less important in determining one’s employability are often left out from school curriculum.

In addressing to the problem, Sampoerna Foundation United Schools Program in collaboration with Toastmasters International held a Youth Leadership training program for all its 14 adopted schools all across Indonesia. Students and English teachers from the schools gather at Sampoerna Foundation’s headquarter in Jakarta on 30th-31st March 2007 to be trained by the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club. The program is aimed to develop effective communication and mentoring skills among youths, and prepare them to be leaders in both their personal and future professional life.

Group photo of representatives from 14 USP schools, the USP Director, and representatives from Metropolitan Toastmasters Club

After receiving trainings in public speaking, listening, speech preparation, and effective presentation skills from the Metropolitan Toastmasters club, students and teachers are expected to set up a youth leadership program in their respective schools to encourage other students to hone their communication and leadership potentials. “Through this activity, USP hopes to produce well-rounded students who possess both hard and soft skills to better meet their future professional needs,” said Ronald Stones, the USP Director.

A Renowned Professor from UK Visit SMAN 3 Depok

Jakarta, (26 March 2007): Professor John West-Burnham, a distinguished professional in school leadership development will visit SMAN 3 Depok on Wednesday, 28th March 2007 in line with his work with Sampoerna Foundation in evaluating its leadership training programs for principals and aspiring school leaders.

John West-Burnham, an Honorary Professor of Education at Queens University and Center for Educational Studies at University of Hull, is an educator, consultant and a prolific writer in leadership development. He is also a Senior Research Adviser at National College for School Leadership, a center for school leadership development pioneered by the Prime Minister of England, Tony Blair.

Professor Burnham will visit SMAN 3 Depok to observe the learning process and the school’s leadership system under the flagship of Sampoerna Foundation. Aside from the school visit, in this 23rd country visit of his, Professor Burnham will also stay in Indonesia for 5 days to visit British Council and Sampoerna Foundation Teacher Institute to evaluate and assist the development of the school leadership training programs in the institutions.

Molding Friendship through Waste

On 11th - 16th March 2007, SMAN 11 Bandung was honored to receive special guests from the Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. The group, which consisted of 12 international students and 2 academic staff, came to Bandung for a recycling project, a joint-community service program with SMAN 11 Bandung students.

For 5 days, students from SMAN 11 Bandung and UWC Hong Kong worked hand in hand to categorize organic, inorganic and paper waste, conduct composting process, donate garbage bins, as well as socialize the idea of recycling to two primary schools and the local community around SMAN 11 Bandung.

Collecting and catagorizing garbage can be this fun..

The arrival of UWC Hong Kong students for the recycling project complemented the school’s commitment in carrying out hands-on environmental study program, as part of the “Green School” campaign endorsed by the Mayor of Bandung. While conducting community service programs in various Asian countries has been an annual program for all UWC students, SMAN 11 Bandung’s first recycling project done with these students has further encouraged SMAN 11 Bandung to make the recycling project an Extra Curricular Activity to promote recycling activities among all students in the school.

This unique program caught the Mayor of Bandung’s attention, Dada Rosada, who then came to officiate the launching of the joint community service program at SMAN 11 Bandung. He was impressed with the successful collaboration that SMAN 11 Bandung garnered. “Society cannot rely on the government alone to manage waste and maintain a healthy environment. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank SMAN 11 Bandung and UWC Hong Kong for their role in providing solid support for the development of a greener environment in Bandung.” The Mayor said.

Furthermore, what was supposed to be a recycling project collaboration has extended further beyond recycling waste. The program has also turned into an inter-cultural arena where students from various countries such as Britain, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Timor Leste, and Indonesia interact, make friendships and promote mutual cultural understanding through home-stay with Indonesian families.

Within a week, the students have formed meaningful relationships and learned a lot from each other. “Before I arrived in Indonesia, I was so worried about adjusting to Andriansyah’s family (Host family). But it turned out that I click so well with his whole family..his dad, his brothers.. I feel pretty much at home!” said Dencio, a student from Timor Leste. Sarah Yue, an Australian, felt the same hospitality, “ My host family is so nice. It’s interesting to live with people very different from you which you have to simulate. I’m learning a lot.”

Working together to paint garbage bins that will be donated to primary schools

SMAN 3 Depok’s Choir Joined an International Music Concert

When told about sharing a stage with Sadao Watanabe, a renowned Japanese composer, and hundreds other youngsters of different nationalities from various international schools & music schools, SMAN 3 Depok’s choir could never have been happier.

They got the spot as the opening performer in the 'Children Are The Future' concert; additionally, they were to perform throughout the afternoon together with other children, singing the songs composed by Sadao, about ‘uniting hearts’ and creating peace for a better future for the children of the world.

The concert went very well. Together with Elfa Music School’s choir, SMAN 3 Depok rolled out a spectacular opening performance, singing Sampoerna Foundation’s theme song ‘Spread Our Wings’ and leaving the floor completely enthralled with the distinct, sweet and powerful voices resonating from the gigantic amplifiers of JCC’s Plenary Hall.
It made a deep impact on the audience.

SMAN 3 Depok Choir was the opening performer for the 'Children Are The Future' Concert held along with the Java Jazz music festival at Jakarta Convention Center

The students worked hard to prepare for the concert. For 3 weeks the 25 members of the choir underwent intensive training given by Elfa Music School, and crammed 6 songs, which are mostly in Japanese.

“Prior to the concert, we listened to the recorded songs, memorized the lyrics and practiced after school-hours everyday,” Said Dita Miranda, the spokesperson for SMAN 3 Depok’s choir. They even commuted all the way from Depok to Jakarta several times to practice with other performers and ended up coming home late. “A lot of us fell ill due to the intensity; and 2 of our members withdrew from the concert as they are not physically well,” she added.

Nevertheless, the concert provided SMAN 3 Depok choir with a great experience. The students learnt new vocal and breathing techniques, and they certainly benefited from the group practice sessions with international students and children from various parts of Indonesia.

“It’s our first time to join a grand event like this. We met lots of people, and we got to practice with Sadao and people from other countries. It’s an unforgettable experience,” a student said.

"English is Fun!"

For those who dread English, please seek SMAN 10 Malang for help as they had made English learning fun as ever. On a fine Tuesday morning, 6th February 2007, more than 200 of SMAN 10 Malang’s Class X students woke up early and rushed happily to school as they were about to practice their English in the most unusual way—an English Outbound Activity.

Organized by the school’s student club ECC (English Conversation Club), the activity was held at Selecta, a recreational center in Batu, Malang. The students had fun solving English puzzles at each point located at 20 different sites before declaring themselves as the winners—a game pretty similar to the ‘Amazing Race’ TV show.

USP Officers Visited British International School

15th February 2007: USP Program Officers Observe, Learn, and Pick up the good practices from British International School

A School Introduction by British International School's Principal, Mr. Peter Derby Crook

Touring the school

The Classroom

Exchanging views and ideas to be applied into the local education context

EMOI - USP ties the knot

Under the privilege of Exxon Mobile Oil Indonesia (EMOI), 3 public high schools (SMAN 1 Syamtalira Arun, SMAN 1 Tanah Luas, SMAN 1 Matangkuli) from North Aceh Regency were adopted into Sampoerna Foundation’s United Schools Program to begin their first step towards quality schools in Indonesia. (picture of the official program launching below)

L - R: Elan Merdy (COO, Sampoerna Foundation), Hasbi (Principal, SMAN 1 Matangkuli), Maman Budiman (VP Public Affairs, EMOI), Abdul Kadir (Head of Sub-Directorate of National Education Ministry, North Aceh Regency), Rusdi (North Aceh Regional Administration Officer), Ahmad Yamani (Principal, SMAN 1 Syamtalira Arun), Ibrahim (Principal, SMAN 1 Tanah Luas), Ronald Stones (Director, United Schools Program)

The Program kicked-off immediately!

On 12th – 15th January, Principals & teachers from the schools, regional administration officials and Head of Sub-Directorate of National Education Ministry from North Aceh Regency attended a two-day visioning training at Sampoerna Foundation aimed to familiarize the USP visions, aims and programs to the stakeholders.

Furthermore, the training followed with school program discussions based on each school’s diagnosis result, sharing sessions with principals of current USP schools, and a two-day study visit at USP school SMA 11 Bandung.

Visioning the Future

A presentation on Exxon Mobile Oil Indonesia's Corporate Social Responsibility programs

Welcoming North Aceh's Regional Administration Officers and the School Principals to the SF-USP Family