DP World Foundation breaks ground on $1.01m Indonesia school

Medan, Indonesia - DP World Foundation (DPWF), the philanthropic arm of DP World, together with Belawan New Container Terminal (BNCT), has marked the groundbreaking of a $1.01 million (AED 3.7 million) junior high school in Belawan, Medan.

The investment in the project came from DPWF. It aims to expand access to quality education and provide a modern learning environment for the local community, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Construction is scheduled to start in 2027 and is expected to take approximately 10 to 12 months.

On completion, the school will be handed over to the City Government of Medan to operate as a public junior high school, with operations targeted to begin in 2028.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the City Government of Medan and PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) (Pelindo), which is providing approximately 5,000 sq m of land for the school. BNCT, a joint venture between DP World and Pelindo, is supporting local implementation.

Designed for students in Grades 7 to 9, the school will have 12 classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, sports facilities and a solar-powered energy system.

The ceremony included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It was attended by Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas, Mayor of Medan; Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia; Suffian Manaf, President Director of BNCT; Gaylynne Neill, Executive Vice President of People, DP World Asia Pacific; and Achmad Muchtasyar, President Director of Pelindo.

Also present were Dr. Abdulla BuSenad, Director General of Dubai Customs and Board Member of DP World Foundation; Saif Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of DP World Foundation; and Latifa Al Qemzi, Director General of DP World Foundation.

Latifa Al Qemzi, Director General of DPWF, said: “Education is at the heart of our work because we believe that investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen communities. By giving children access to quality education and the opportunity to develop their potential, we are helping them build better futures for themselves and contribute to the communities around them. Through our Classrooms of Hope initiative, we continue to expand this commitment, and we are particularly proud to bring the programme to Indonesia, marking an important new chapter in our efforts to create lasting opportunities through education.”

Suffian Manaf, President Director of Belawan New Container Terminal (BNCT), said: “We believe education is an important foundation for creating opportunities for the next generation. Through this school, we want to provide a learning environment where young people in Belawan can develop their potential, build their skills and pursue their aspirations. This is part of the spirit of Tumbuh Bersama, ensuring that the growth of our business goes hand in hand with meaningful benefits for the communities around us.”

Achmad Muchtasyar, President Director of Pelindo, said: “Pelindo sees education as an important part of building stronger communities around the port area. Through this collaboration, we are supporting the provision of land for an educational facility that will benefit the people of Belawan. We hope the school will provide a better learning environment and contribute to our shared efforts to prepare the next generation for the future.”

The school is also part of BNCT’s Tumbuh Bersama (“Grow Together”) initiative, launched in October 2025 with DP World, Pelindo and the City Government of Medan. The programme supports community development through education, healthcare, environmental conservation and economic opportunities.