On December 15, Samsung Electronics Indonesia received the “Best CSR Award 2016” for its contributions to the Indonesian community. The award was presented to Samsung by several organizations, including the Indonesia Ministry of Small & Medium Enterprises, Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, the Korea Trade Investment & Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the South Korean Embassy.
Out of 2,200 Korean companies operating in Indonesia, Samsung Electronics Indonesia was recognized for its corporate social responsibility program, which has consistently focused on improving education, health and community development.
This year, four programs particularly stood out in exemplifying Samsung’s commitment to supporting Indonesian communities, representing its lasting identity as a model corporate citizen.
Self-Learning for Vocational Success
To help underprivileged Indonesian teenagers develop skills for employment, Samsung Electronics Indonesia started the Rumah Belajar (“home learning” in Indonesian) Samsung program for those without access to formal educational resources.
The program teaches students how to repair electronic products that meet the Samsung Service Center standard, giving future graduates a chance to work at a Samsung Service Center, or even set up their own businesses down the line. The program has taught over 2,000 students so far, and has produced over 1,500 graduates.
Digital Libraries Show a New Way of Reading
As a way to support the Indonesian government’s “Love to Read” program, Samsung created Samsung Smart Libraries – reading facilities equipped with smartphones and gadgets for access to digital books and digital library applications.
By transforming the traditional library into a digital space, the Samsung Smart Library engages people using familiar gadgets to read electronically.
The libraries will be available at the Samsung Tech Institute in Makassar and Banjarmasin, K-Lounge ITB in Bandung, the Samsung Experience Service Center in Jakarta and others, until the end of 2016.
Helping Small Businesses Grow and Innovate
Another program that has contributed to local growth in Indonesia is Samsung’s One Village One Product (OVOP) program, which aids small and medium enterprises to further develop their businesses.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Small & Medium Enterprises and the Korea Trade-Investment Agency (KOTRA), Samsung reached out to three cooperatives this year to help them nurture their businesses to be able to compete in higher markets.
Samsung’s training for these small businesses features online marketing strategies for companies to be able to independently grow their business online, improve product quality and expand their networks.
Young Minds Combine Creativity with Technology
Lastly, Samsung held Samsung Ideaction, a youth technology competition. Students were asked to submit potential mobile app ideas which could help make daily life activities easier for user, incorporating Samsung mobile devices.
The top three teams were presented with educational scholarships, and the first-place winner was awarded the chance to visit Samsung Digital City in Korea and entry into Samsung Electronics Indonesia’s management trainee program.
Finding Shared Values within Local Communities
Every year, Samsung strives to improve the lives of others through sharing resources and providing support. Samsung Electronics Indonesia is only one part of Samsung’s global community, but it represents overall corporate citizenship, which highlights the values of technology and innovation.
