Jakarta (ANTARA) – Nickel Industries, with Hasanuddin University, launched an undergraduate scholarship program for students in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, to expand education access and build local human capital in mining and industrial areas.Chief Operating Officer Tony Green said the initiative targets youth in Bungku Pesisir and Bahodopi, as part of industry–university collaboration to improve education access.He said the program supports the company’s sustainability strategy by enhancing education quality, strengthening local skills and creating long-term social impact in operational areas.“For us, success is not only production, but also creating tangible community impact through better access to quality education,” he said in a statement on Saturday.He added the company sees investing in people as key, by opening access to education, building youth capacity and supporting long-term development in mining regions.Scholarship recipients will receive full funding for four years and take part in soft-skills programs, aimed at producing graduates who can contribute to community development.Hasanuddin University’s Education Director Risma I Maulany said the program is expected to widen access to higher education and promote more equitable education quality across regions.“We encourage local students to apply. UNHAS supports the selection process and monitors recipients,” she said.She noted several students have achieved strong results, including one securing a fully funded one-year internship in Japan.“We hope more Morowali students can access better education through this program,” she added.The partnership aims to create inclusive education pathways aligned with regional development needs and long-term community capacity building.An online briefing drew 50 participants, including students, teachers, village officials and representatives from UNHAS and Nickel Industries.Participants received information on study programs, scholarship schemes, benefits and the selection process, managed independently by UNHAS.Registration runs from May 7 to May 21, 2026, followed by administrative screening from May 22 to May 25 and a written test in June.The program is open to students from nine villages in the Hengjaya Mineralindo mining area and four villages in the Sampala Project area.Eligible applicants also include students from SMAN 1 Bahodopi, SMKS Al Khairaat Bahodopi and SMAN 1 Bungku Pesisir.In 2026, the company will award full scholarships to 10 students from Morowali to study at UNHAS.The program covers 15 fields, including mining, environmental and metallurgical engineering, aligned with industry needs and regional economic potential.