Vice President Inaugurates STC as the Central Papua Vocational Training Center (BLK)

Timika, Wednesday (30/11/2022) — Vice President Ma’ruf Amin officially inaugurated Somatua Training Center as the Vocational Training Center for the newly established Central Papua Province. The signing of the inauguration plaque, held today at Rimba Papua Hotel, proceeded smoothly without any issues.

Before the Vice President signed the inauguration plaque, Maximus Tipagau, founder of the Somatua Foundation, provided an overview of the foundation’s history and its work in the fields of education, health, and economic development since 2008. Throughout its journey, the Somatua Foundation has made significant contributions in these three sectors for the benefit of Papua.
Maximus also showcased MSME products fostered by the Somatua Foundation, such as Papua Arabica coffee, various Papua-grown snacks, beautifully crafted noken bags made by the creative hands of Papuan women, and the renowned authentic Kamoro wood carvings. He further explained to the Vice President about the processed tailings from PTFI’s waste sirsat, which remain useful and have economic value for building houses, bridges, and roads. He emphasized that the tailings material is safe, having undergone scientific testing at ITB Bogor. Finally, Maximus outlined the Master Plan project for an MSME Center on a 21-hectare land owned by the Somatua Foundation, which will be developed into a hub for MSMEs in Timika and Papua at large.

Although it was only through a virtual live streaming broadcast from Rimba Papua Hotel, the training participants at STC and the mama-mama at the MSME stands had the opportunity to interact directly with the Vice President.

“What hopes do the students of Somatua Training Center have?” the Vice President asked directly. One student responded, “We hope Somatua Training Center will continue to grow with support from Mr. Vice President.” The Vice President then greeted the MSME participants, saying, “How are you, mama-mama?” as the women waved to the camera.

Maximus Tipagau expressed his hopes to the Vice President of Indonesia and the attending regional government officials to support the programs of the Somatua Foundation as well as the Somatua Training Center.

“Thank you, Mr. Ma’ruf Amin, for taking the time for us at the Somatua Foundation and Somatua Training Center,” concluded Maximus Tipagau.