Anita Tanjung at CT Arsa Elite High School Graduation: Every Child Has the Right to Succeed
Anita Ratnasari Tanjung, founder of the CT Arsa Foundation, told graduates that every child deserves to succeed through quality education when she attended the graduation of 199 students from CT Arsa Elite High School Sukoharjo, Batch VI, on Thursday (21 May).
“Even though you are not the children of officials, not the children of conglomerates, many come from families with limited means, because I believe that regardless of background, every child is entitled to succeed. Again, every child is entitled to succeed,” Anita said, as quoted by Detik.
CT Arsa Elite High School Sukoharjo held a farewell ceremony for Batch VI graduates. The graduation procession took place at the Pendopo of CT Arsa Elite High School, Sidorejo Village, Bendosari, Sukoharjo. A total of 199 students were announced to have graduated 100 percent, three of whom successfully gained places at universities abroad.
“Not only the numbers that are proud, but 98% of them were admitted to top universities in Indonesia. They were admitted to ITB, UGM, Brawijaya, IPB, UI, and others,” Anita said.
To date, the CT ARSA Foundation has graduated 2011 high achievers. CT Arsa High School in Deli Serdang has graduated 14 cohorts, and in Sukoharjo it has graduated 6 cohorts.
Anita sent a message to the 199 graduates of Batch VI of CT Arsa Foundation Sukoharjo not to rely on a single diploma alone.
Anita recounted her experience with her husband, CT Corp Chairman Chairul Tanjung, when they visited China to study developments in technology, particularly in the e-commerce giant Alibaba. She witnessed how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are beginning to displace human roles.
“Technology there has already permeated every field and of course impacts the jobs traditionally done by humans; now these have been replaced by technology. From analysis, design, to report writing,” she said.
Anita emphasised the importance of adapting and continuous learning. In her view, a diploma alone will not be enough to face a world that changes at the speed of a flash.
“Mother reminds you all, we cannot rely solely on a diploma. We will fall behind if we are not willing to learn in an era that is changing so rapidly,” she said.
Anita is optimistic that her students can become winners. She believes that even the most advanced technology does not possess the soul and life experience that CT Arsa Foundation students have.
“AI technology and assistive tools are not a foe to be feared, but you must be able to adapt. You must be innovative, you must be agile,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, Usdiyanto, the Principal of CT Arsa Elite High School Foundation Sukoharjo, said that 55 graduates, including four, had already been admitted to various universities.
“Those who have already been admitted through SNBP (National Selection Based on Achievement) and various state universities as well as leading private universities with full scholarships amount to 55 students,” Usdiyanto said.
Usdiyanto detailed that three of this year’s graduates had gained places at international universities. They are Latifah Alya Ayunda, who was admitted to four foreign universities; Nazriel Romi JC, admitted to three foreign universities; and Muhammad Badar Agung, admitted to Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
“They are still waiting for LOAs from various universities and will be joined by seven older classmates who have already pursued studies abroad,” he explained.
In his report, Usdiyanto said that CT Arsa Foundation Sukoharjo is a boarding school that combines the national curriculum with a private boarding curriculum that emphasises character, leadership, and tolerance.
“All students who study here come from less well-off families in Central Java, Yogyakarta Special Region, and the Madiun Raya who receive full scholarships from Chairul Tanjung and Anita Ratnasari Tanjung,” he stated.
“They are all provided with full scholarships by Mr Chairul Tanjung and Mrs Anita Ratnasari through the CT Arsa Foundation. From boarding costs, meals, clothing, health, all laboratories, competitions, to progress at school,” he added.
Usdiyanto noted that in terms of quality, the school ranks 4th in Central Java Province and 68th nationally out of 23,000 high schools in Indonesia according to data from the LTMPT (Lembaga Tes Masuk Perguruan Tinggi). Since its founding in 2018 through 2026, the school has produced 6 cohorts with a total of 876 alumni.
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