Jakarta – The Deputy Minister of Higher Education in Indonesia has called on vocational universities and polytechnic institutions to enhance their role in producing skilled workers and fostering technological independence as the nation works to uplift the quality of its workforce.
In a statement released on Sunday, Deputy Minister Fauzan emphasized that applied higher education should tackle development challenges and prepare students with skills that meet industry needs. He highlighted the vital role of vocational institutions in creating skilled workers and innovations to address both industry and societal demands.
Fauzan noted that improving vocational education is increasingly important as Indonesia aims to boost workforce competitiveness. According to Statistics Indonesia, the open unemployment rate was 4.68 percent in February 2026, while gross enrollment in higher education reached 32.89 percent. He pointed out that these statistics indicate significant opportunities for vocational institutions to broaden access and align graduate skills with market needs.
The data also revealed that imports of machinery and mechanical equipment hit $10.75 billion from January to April 2025. This underscores the importance of strengthening applied higher education to build local technological capabilities.
“Universities should be at the forefront of producing the nation’s best talent and conducting impactful research,” Fauzan said. He expressed a desire for research outcomes not only to be published academically but also to solve real-world issues.
To realize Indonesia’s vision for 2045, Fauzan stressed the necessity of long-term investments in education, science, and technology. He also highlighted that universities must focus on character development, emphasizing values like integrity, discipline, and a strong work ethic among young people.
