Can technology help to create better, employment-ready university graduates? – Science & Tech

The Ministry of Manpower recognized this gap with Regulation No. 6/2020 on internships as a tool for professional networking and skill development. However, the scale and distribution of students in Indonesia, as well as the manual nature of the process present logistical hurdles. To address this, the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry offers a new approach. Enter Kampus Merdeka, a program to facilitate university students’ opportunities to participate in out-of-campus experiences.

To achieve the program’s success, the education ministry works with several stakeholders and partners to provide a platform accessible to all students so that they can easily find employment opportunities best tailored to their needs through the Certified Internship and Independent Study (MSIB) program.

The implementation of Kampus Merdeka is supported by a technology platform, to ensure a high-quality, equitable and inclusive experience for all students, even the whole internship ecosystem such as campuses and employers. GovTech Edu, the Ministry of Education’s thought and development parent, recognizes the need for a holistic approach. They went beyond building technology and, working hand-in-hand with the Ministry, focused on streamlining business processes and connecting the entire internship ecosystem.

“The goal was built to create, organize, and manage the out-of-campus opportunities from start to finish for all stakeholders as efficiently as possible to help with the coordination and alignment of program execution. Most of all, the platform’s end-to-end approach empowers students with valuable internships that prepare them for successful careers”, added Claudia Simanjuntak, Head of Higher Education Tribe, GovTech Edu.

The platform goes beyond matchmaking; it’s an all-inclusive internship service that centralizes opportunities from a vast, curated network of thousands of industry partners. As a web-based platform, it primarily serves university students as a marketplace while accommodating a wider circle of stakeholders involved in the Kampus Merdeka program. Industry partners gain access to a more qualified and practical workforce, ensuring a mutually beneficial outcome. Universities benefit from a streamlined internship program that aligns with their curriculum, improves student employability and strengthens industry partnerships.

“We’re able to enforce a structured internship program to ensure that it’s mutually beneficial to both students and industry partners; the platform also facilitates an exchange of feedback through students’ reports on their internship experiences,” added Claudia.

A case study on how the Kampus Merdeka platform and MSIB program can benefit students is exemplified by the story of Sri Ramadani of Teuku Umar University and Laila Zahira Fatin of the University of Indonesia, two of the students who participated in the program.

“The registration process [for the MSIB program] through the platform was straightforward and user-friendly. All necessary information was available, and the platform provided various guides and FAQs. During the internship period, the platform also facilitated communication with mentors and the company’s HR team, so that any issues could be quickly addressed,” said Sri.

“The MSIB program trained us to improve time management skills, including studying, working with the internship, and having personal time. I graduated on time cum laude, on top of completing two internships. Moreover, I can also convert my internship experience into academic credits,” Laila explained, detailing her experiences. She added that the connection and network she built from her internships made it easier for her to find a job, leading her to find a return offer from her last internship.

A more efficient and inclusive internship recruitment process through Kampus Merdeka has led to better accessibility and a quicker method, which is reflected in numbers: 1.5 times verification speed with 95 percent less verification workload, over 1.5 million students registered on the platform from 2,000 universities across the country, over 6,000 companies, as well as nonprofits, have posted opportunities on the platform, creating over 27,000 internship positions and courses for university students. Additionally, Kampus Merdeka participants were able to secure jobs three to six months earlier than non-participants, as evidenced by one of the internal surveys.

As the nation continues to invest in its future talents, Kampus Merdeka is a powerful model for bridging the gap between academia and the professional world, equipping students with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in the ever-evolving job market.