22 November 2025
Timika, November 22, 2025 — PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) continues to support the education of Papuan children through scholarships managed by the Amungme and Kamoro Community Empowerment Foundation (YPMAK). This year, three young Papuans from the Amungme and Kamoro tribes who received PTFI scholarships have officially earned their medical doctor degrees after completing medical education at their chosen universities.
"We appreciate the achievements of these three scholarship recipients from PTFI. They have proven that hard work, discipline, perseverance, an adaptive attitude, and persistence in learning have led them to achieve their dreams. Freeport Indonesia, through its scholarship program, is proud to be part of the great strides of Papuan children continuing to excel at national and global levels," said Director & Executive Vice President Sustainable Development PTFI, Claus Wamafma in Timika, Saturday.
The three doctors are dr. Thalia Thomas Karupukaro, the first female doctor from the Kamoro tribe; dr. Christanto Beanal, the first male doctor from the Amungme tribe; and dr. Sephia Jangkup, the first female doctor from the Amungme tribe.
Claus said that PTFI's scholarship program managed through YPMAK is a realization of the company's commitment to supporting education for Papuan children. The collaboration between PTFI and YPMAK together with the government will continue to promote educational development for Papuan children in pursuing their dreams.
The YPMAK scholarship program has been running since 1996. For nearly 30 years, this scholarship has been running with full support from PTFI as part of the company's commitment to sustainable development and local community empowerment. PTFI's primary social investment contributions are education, health, economy, and infrastructure with priority on improving Papua's human resource capacity. The beneficiaries of these contributions are the Amungme and Kamoro tribes, the indigenous people living around PTFI's operational area, as well as five other related tribes.
YPMAK Chairman Leonardus Tumuka stated that the three doctors have demonstrated extraordinary achievements. "We will prepare strong human resources through partnership funds from PT Freeport Indonesia to produce a better quality society, who in the end can create something that can help their own community," said Leo.
Thalia received her scholarship starting in 2013 when she was still in junior high school in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, until she completed her medical education at Atma Jaya University. During 12 years as a scholarship recipient, Thalia experienced various emotional, academic, and spiritual journeys that shaped her into a resilient person.
There were two moments that were most prideful in her scholarship journey. First, when she was selected as one of North Sulawesi's representatives to participate in a national geoscience competition in Padang. "I was proud because a Papuan child could represent the geology field at the national level," said Thalia. The second very meaningful moment occurred when she was already a medical student, when a patient came back specifically to thank her. "As simple as that, but very prideful. I felt truly useful," she said.
Thalia, a doctor who just completed her studies on November 4, 2025, admitted that her desire to become a doctor was very strong because part of the community still has difficulty accessing health services. With the PTFI scholarship, her path to her dream became open.
"The scholarship I received has been very influential and can be a door for all young Papuan generations to achieve bigger dreams. I chose to become a doctor because I am a child who knows exactly how difficult health service access is in Papua. I want to be a solution to this problem," said Thalia.
The other two doctors who also received scholarship benefits from Freeport through YPMAK are dr. Christanto Beanal, who completed his medical studies at Unika Atmajaya. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Hospital Management at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), Tangerang, Banten.
Christanto has been a YPMAK scholarship recipient since his undergraduate medical studies and continues his education at the Master's level. He emphasized that the scholarship support he received was not only financial, but also moral, emotional, and psychological support. "YPMAK provides a very meaningful support system. We can consult with senior mentors, not only about administration, but also for psychological and emotional support," he said.
According to Christanto, one of the biggest challenges in medical education is not only academic material, but also the need for a strong support system. "Struggling in medical education is not just about studying, but about having peers who understand the struggle. We support each other, we strengthen each other," he said.
Additionally, dr. Sephia Jangkup graduated in early 2025 from the Faculty of Medicine at Indonesian Christian University (UKI) Jakarta. Sephia received the PTFI scholarship through YPMAK since junior high school until she successfully earned her medical doctor degree.
Currently, Sephia is undergoing an internship program at Mimika Regional Hospital. She admits to being proud and touched because she can prove something important for herself and her community. "I am proud to be able to show that children from Timika, especially from the Amungme and Kamoro tribes, can become doctors," she said. This pride is not only for herself, but also as inspiration for the next generation in her hometown.
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dr. Sephia Chrisilla Jangkup from the Amungme Tribe, PTFI education scholarship recipient through YPMAK, earned her medical doctor degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Indonesian Christian University. |
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dr. Christanto Beanal, PTFI scholarship recipient through YPMAK, completed his medical studies at Unika Atmajaya. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Hospital Management at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), Tangerang, Banten. |
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Thalia Thomas Karupukaro, PTFI scholarship recipient through YPMAK, successfully earned her medical doctor degree from Atma Jaya Catholic University, Pluit Campus, Jakarta on November 4, 2025. |
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Thalia Thomas Karupukaro successfully earned her medical doctor degree from Atma Jaya Catholic University, Pluit Campus, Jakarta on November 4, 2025. |
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About PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is a leading mineral mining company, an affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) and Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID). PTFI conducts integrated mining, processing, and refining of minerals to produce copper cathodes, gold, and silver bars. Through upstream to downstream operations, PTFI is the world's largest integrated copper mining company.
PTFI's mining activities are located in the Grasberg area, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, one of the most remote and extreme mountainous regions in the world that has one of the largest copper and gold deposits. The refining process is carried out at PTFI's smelter facility in Gresik, East Java, as part of the company's commitment to downstream processing and increasing the added value of minerals domestically. Through sustainable resource management, application of advanced technology, and worldclass safety standards, PTFI is committed to continuing to contribute to national economic development.
Kami menghimbau para pencari kerja untuk berhati-hati dan mewaspadai beragam modus penipuan perekrutan yang mengatasnamakan PT Freeport Indonesia. Dalam setiap proses rekrutmen dan penerimaan karyawan, PT Freeport Indonesia maupun konsultan rekruitmennya tidak memungut biaya apapun.
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