TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics continues to accelerate digital transformation in an effort to encourage the development of the digital economy ecosystem in Indonesia.

"Digital transformation is a necessity for us. We must be involved in accelerating digital transformation in Indonesia," Director-General of Information and Public Communication of the Communication and Informatics Ministry, Usman Kansong, stated in the welcoming video of the 2022 Cellular Congress Webinar, Thursday.

The ministry sees full potential in the country to develop the digital ecosystem on account of the increase in the number of internet users to reach two million within a year due to the pandemic. Several community activities have also been shifted to the digital space.

Referring to the latest We Are Social report, the number of internet users in Indonesia had reached 204.7 million as of January 2022.

The potential for digital ecosystem development is also apparent from the information and communication technology (ICT) sector's contribution of 4.25 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Kansong noted.

He later pointed out that despite the number of internet users increasing with each passing year, digitally capable human resources were a challenge in order to accelerate digital transformation. The millennial generation would become the foundation in supporting economic digitization in Indonesia, he remarked.

"This is a challenge for us because Indonesia is said to be lacking in ICT-competent human resources in 2030," he stated.

Indonesia needs an average of 600 thousand people every year to work in the digital sector. Unfortunately, of the four thousand universities in Indonesia, only 20 percent of them have ICT study programs, Kansong pointed out.

The ministry estimates a digital talent gap of between 400 thousand to 450 thousand people per year.

"The need for manpower to demonstrate digital transformation continues to grow rapidly. Digital skills and digital literacy are critical to the success of digital transformation in Indonesia," he affirmed.

To meet the needs of domestic digital talent, the ministry has readied three main programs. At the basic level, the ministry conducts digital literacy for all levels of society through the National Digital Literacy Movement. This program adheres to a curriculum containing four modules: digital culture, digital security, digital etiquette, and digital skills.

At the intermediate level, the Digital Talent Scholarship Program will provide training in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, and data analysis, among others.

At the advanced level, the ministry had held a Digital Leadership Academy for policymakers in both the government and private sectors.

Read: High Hopes for Digital Economy

ANTARA