Tanoto Foundation Encourages Students to Become Innovative Leaders Through 2026 Scholars Gathering
The LPEM FEB UI Labour Market Brief, published in May 2026 and processed from the August 2025 Sakernas data, shows that the average graduate in Indonesia takes 19.8 months to find a job after completing their education. The study also highlights that the transition into the workforce is influenced by a mismatch between graduates’ competencies and industry needs, expectations about work, and suboptimal links between higher education and the world of work.
This situation shows that work readiness is no longer determined solely by academic ability. Students also need to develop character, leadership, collaborative experience, lifelong learning skills, and the courage to create opportunities and contribute to society. These values form the foundation of the TELADAN scholarship programme from Tanoto Foundation.
Tanoto Foundation, an independent philanthropic organisation in education, health and leadership development founded by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto in 1981, developed TELADAN (Transformation of Education to Give Birth to Future Leaders), a structured scholarship and leadership development programme that accompanies students from the start of their studies until graduation. Through financial support, structured leadership training, a national network, and various hands-on learning experiences, TELADAN aims to prepare the younger generation to become adaptive leaders of integrity who can make a positive impact on society.
One of the main events in the learning journey of TELADAN scholarship recipients is the Tanoto Scholars Gathering (TSG), an annual forum that brings together one cohort of Tanoto Scholars from ten partner universities. TSG also marks their transition from the Lead Self phase to Lead Others, when Scholars begin developing leadership that focuses not only on personal growth but also on the ability to lead, collaborate, and create impact for others. Through this forum, they learn from one another, build networks, strengthen their leadership capacity, and connect classroom learning with real challenges in the professional world and society.
TSG 2026: Learn & Lead — Rooted in Purpose, Growing for Impact
This year, Tanoto Foundation once again held the Tanoto Scholars Gathering (TSG) 2026 at the Riau Complex of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) in Pangkalan Kerinci, Riau, on 23–25 July 2026. Carrying the theme “Learn & Lead: Rooted in Purpose, Growing for Impact”, TSG 2026 invited 242 Tanoto Scholars to strengthen purpose-driven leadership whilst building the capacity to create broader impact through collaboration, innovation, and concrete action.
Chief Operating Officer of APRIL, Eduward Ginting, opened the event by reminding participants to stay strong in their values and purpose so they can grow, learn and collaborate. “We support TSG 2026 so that Tanoto Scholars can have strong capital, a strong desire to learn, concern for society, and the courage to create change,” he said.
At the same event, Head of Policy & Advocacy at Tanoto Foundation, Eddy Henry, emphasised to the Tanoto Scholars that becoming a meaningful leader always starts from a clear purpose, realised through everyday choices, ultimately producing impact for others.
“Purpose reminds us why we do what we do, strengthens us when we must make difficult decisions, and keeps us focused when the road ahead remains full of uncertainty,” said Eddy.
“Dear Tanoto Scholars, remember that meaningful leadership is not born instantly. Leadership is built from the small choices we make consistently: the choice to listen, the choice to learn, and the choice to do what is right, even when that choice is not easy,” Eddy concluded.
During TSG 2026, the Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Yassierli, Ph.D., one of the speakers, encouraged the younger generation to adopt a growth mindset as preparation for becoming young leaders capable of meeting future challenges. “Innovation is not always about creating something entirely new; it can also be about bringing new value or impact to something that already exists. Innovation can even be born from a problem. So start with real problems close to you that need fixing,” said the Minister of Manpower.
The Minister also urged the younger generation to become innovative leaders who make an impact for the nation. “Indonesia needs innovation, and my dream for 2045 is that Indonesia becomes great by becoming an innovation nation, and this spirit must be held by every leader,” he said.
Another speaker, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Stella Christie, Ph.D., reminded participants of the importance of continuing to develop in the AI era, especially as future leaders. “Today, knowledge is abundant. Everything can be discovered with AI. That is why it matters for us, as people receiving higher education, to be able to do three important things: create knowledge, transmit knowledge, and curate knowledge. Because if our ability is limited only to searching for knowledge, we can easily be replaced by AI,” said the Deputy Minister.
“AI can present millions of pieces of information in seconds. But it is humans who can turn information into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom. That is the competency young leaders must build: the ability to curate knowledge to deliver decisions that impact society and the nation’s future,” she continued.
Direct Learning from Sustainability Practices
TSG brings together Tanoto Scholars from the same cohort from across Indonesia to learn, share and network. Over the three days, TSG 2026 featured a range of activities designed to equip Tanoto Scholars for the transition from the Lead Self phase to the Lead Others phase, including:
Leadership sessions and inspirational talks with speakers from government, higher education and culture;
Industrial visits providing direct field experience and insight into the connection between social impact and industrial progress. Tanoto Scholars were invited to see and learn first-hand how a sustainable business is built through visits to business units of the RGE group — also founded by Sukanto Tanoto, founder of Tanoto Foundation;
Outbound activities and team building to strengthen collaboration and cohesion among Scholars;
A masterclass on “From Purpose to Measurable Impact”, encouraging Scholars to translate personal purpose into measurable impact.
In addition, Tanoto Scholars took part in experiential leadership workshops such as outbound activities that hone teamwork skills, rapid decision-making, and problem-solving.
All of this aims to develop Tanoto Scholars into leaders with soft skills relevant to the workplace, a leadership spirit, and the readiness to make a positive impact in the various fields and environments where they operate.
TELADAN Scholarship Programme Reopens
Coinciding with TSG 2026, registration for TELADAN Cohort 2027 has also opened. Applications run from 1 July to 7 September 2026 for first-semester students at ten of Tanoto Foundation’s partner universities: IPB University, Diponegoro University, Gadjah Mada University, Brawijaya University, University of Indonesia, University of North Sumatra, Bandung Institute of Technology, Hasanuddin University, Mulawarman University, and University of Riau.
Prospective participants can find further information on TELADAN requirements and registration via https://bit.ly/JadiTELADAN2027. Beyond the scholarship and leadership training, TELADAN recipients also receive various forms of support to enhance their leadership and soft skills, including:
Additional financial support for competitions, conferences and certifications, both domestically and abroad.
Opportunities to join short-term learning programmes such as summer courses, student exchanges, volunteering and other programmes at home and overseas.
Opportunities to intern within Tanoto Foundation’s partner industry network.
Opportunities to obtain research funding and conduct collaborative research.
Since 2006, Tanoto Foundation has supported 8,803 scholarship recipients. Through TELADAN, Scholars become not only part of a scholarship community but also part of an ecosystem of young leaders expected to drive change in their respective environments.