Improving Educator Competence, PHR Provides STEM Concepts for the Nation's Development

Pekanbaru, March 17, 2023 - PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) Sumatera Region, Pertamina's Upstream Sub Holding, provides Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) competence development to teachers, principals, and school supervisors around the Rokan Work Area (WK).

This program is implemented in collaboration with SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization) QITEP (Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel) in Science (SEAQIS) which is one of the SEAMEO Centers in Indonesia under the Directorate General of Teachers and Education Personnel, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The training participants successfully displayed and demonstrated STEM learning outcomes at the STEM Learning Outcomes Expo, held at Pekanbaru 1 High School, Riau, on Wednesday (15/3).

The Head of the Riau Education Office, represented by the Head of High School Guidance, Pahmijan; Director of SEAMEO QITEP in Science, Dr. Indrawati; Representative of SKK Migas Sumbagut; as well as all teachers, Principals, and Supervisors in seven regencies/cities in Riau Province were present at the event.

Corporate Secretary of PHR, Rudi Ariffianto, said that the STEM Learning Implementation Results Expo event was a form of PHR's Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) commitment. "This program targets the education sector. We believe that STEM alignment can be the foundation for the latest advanced technologies development. PHR consistently strives to develop competencies, advance the world of education, and empower communities around the operational area. It goes hand-in-hand with programs on other pillars of education. PHR also implements the PHR Achievement Scholarship Support Program, Sakai Scholarships and career incubation, as well as partnerships with universities," said Rudi Ariffianto.

According to Rudi, facing strong competition in the 4.0 industrial revolution and demographic bonuses, the education sector needs to be equipped with more advanced skills and competencies because the nation's generation or students are not sufficient if they are only equipped with an understanding of knowledge. They need to be supported to have critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills.

Partnering with SEAQIS, PHR has contributed to the challenges and commitments above through the STEM Learning Program, where all events have been carried out, starting from the first FGD in August 2022. In its implementation, PHR and SEAQIS provide training, assistance in preparing teaching tools until STEM learning implementation in the classrooms of each target teacher. This program implementation cannot be separated from multi-stakeholders or Penta helix participation, where there are elements of academia and government.

Director of SEAQIS, Dr. Indrawati, said that the program carried out with PHR followed the Ministry of Education and Culture's policy direction for the nation's generation's development. "The aim is to improve the education quality in Indonesia. This program provides good understanding and skills according to STEM for the nation's generation," she said. According to her, the program carried out by PHR and SEAQIS is not the end but is beginning to create a superior and characterized nation generation. "Hopefully, this participation can contribute positively to the education quality development in Riau," she said.

The Head of the High School Development Division, Riau Province Education Office, Pahmijan, appreciated PHR's important role in developing the nation's generation. "We welcome this competency improvement program for the nation generation's development. Great appreciation for this step is to advance the education world in Riau," he explained.

This program provides comprehensive benefits. It is also felt by the Head of the Siak District Education Office's teacher and education staff, Novendri, an observer of the STEM program. "This program is very useful for improving educators' quality, for the nation's human resources development with a very good concept," he said.

Schools in seven regencies/cities in Riau Province that received intervention from the STEM program also succeeded in displaying learning outcomes at the Expo. These superior products varied with science and technology concepts. In this STEM education pattern, the nation's next generation is encouraged to link their academic knowledge and skills in four aspects; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and utilize them to engineer a solution to a problem.**