The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools can support efforts to raise the quality of the education system. Such has been realized through a multi partnership donation by PT HM Sampoerna Tbk, PT Microsoft Indonesia and Sampoerna Foundation, which dedicates 250 computers to 9 state senior high schools in North and East Jakarta. Yos Adiguna Ginting, Director of Corporate Affairs of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk; Nina Wirahadikusmah, Director of Enterprise & Partner Group of PT Microsoft Indonesia; and Ron Perkinson, President of Sampoerna Foundation symbolically presented the donation to representatives of the those high schools in a ceremony held at SMAN 11 Penjaringan North Jakarta on January 28^th, 2009.

A total of 214 computers and 36 laptops licensed with Microsoft software applications were given to five schools in East Jakarta, namely SMAN 9, 91, 93, 102 and 105, and to four schools in North Jakarta, namely SMAN 111, 115, 41 and 18. The computers and laptops would equip the computer labs of the schools.

“The donation is part of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk.’s CSR program, specifically those initiatives focused on the education sector. We believe that raising the quality of education in Indonesia is the responsibility of everyone in society. We have high hopes that teachers and students will make the most of this donation. Also, the use of ICT within the schools’ premises will lead to improved quality of education,” Yos Adiguna Ginting, Director of Corporate Affairs, PT HM Sampoerna Tbk said.

The use of ICT in the Indonesian education sector is still in its initial stages. According to Ministry of National Education data (2006/2007), only around 27% of all public senior high schools in Indonesia have computer labs. To administer the use of ICT in the education sector, the Ministry has issued decree No. 38/2008 on the management of Information and Communication Technology in and around the Ministry of National Education.

Nina Wirahadikusumah, Director of Enterprise & Partner Group, PT Microsoft Indonesia, expressed a similar view: “This donation is an example of Microsoft’s efforts to raise the quality of education in Indonesia. By using licensed Microsoft software, we are confident that students’ and teachers’ interest in using ICT for learning purposes will be raised.”

“Sampoerna Foundation is proud to be part of the multi partnership between PT HM Sampoerna Tbk and Microsoft Indonesia, geared towards raising Indonesia’s education quality through the use of ICT. SF will conduct regular monitoring activities with the assistance of schools to ensure a long-term relationship, and we will ensure that the computers and laptops donated will be used for their intended purposes,” Ron Perkinson said.

Regular monitoring activities which the Sampoerna Foundation plans to conduct would last for 6 months in all schools. The monitoring activity aims to enhance the effectiveness of ICT application for the improvement of education in the schools.

“…the use of information and communication technology within the schools’ premises will lead to improved quality of education,” Yos Adiguna Ginting, Director of Corporate Affairs, PT HM Sampoerna Tbk.

More Donor/Partner Stories:

Books and Laboratory Equipment Sent to Aceh
PT HM Sampoerna Tbks Never-ending Support for Education
Teacher Training with Blora, Mobil Cepu Ltd. & SF
Mobil Cepu's "Adopt a Teacher" in East Java