TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Prasetiya Mulya University and Korea Polytechnic (Kopo) have collaborated to establish the Prasetiya Mulya - Korea Polytechnic in Indonesia. The collaboration was conducted to create vocational skills capable of advancing Indonesia's manufacturing and service industries.

The establishment of the Prasetiya Mulya - Korea Polytechnic in Indonesia was also to prepare graduates to succeed in becoming competent engineers by applying industrial knowledge.

"This is part of the Indonesian Government's efforts to support bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea by strengthening experts who are prepared," said the Rector of Prasetiya Mulya University, Djisman Simandjuntak in an official statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Kopo Campus II Incheon, South Korea on Tuesday, January 17. Djisman stated that the establishment of the Prasetiya Mulya - Korea Polytechnic is part of the developing stage of the industrial economic ecosystem in the future as it is supported by large industries in Indonesia from various business fields.

Executive Director of Kopo, Yim Chun Gheon said the collaboration proposed by Prasetiya Mulya University was very comprehensive in developing a polytechnic campus that would answer the need for skilled workers in Indonesia.

"With the motto of (anything is possible), we are willing to support the development plan of the Prasetiya Mulya - Korea Polytechnic in Indonesia," said Yim.

As a follow-up to the collaboration, the two parties will assemble a working group to determine the form of support provided by Kopo for the campus that is being developed. In addition, the working group will also design the study programs and curriculum and the Certificate of Origin, which are the core competencies of the graduates.

Prasetiya Mulya University and Kopo will later collaborate in the fields of robotics, automation and electric vehicles for degree and non-degree programs, including a Certificate of Origin from Industry.

In determining the study program requirements, Prasetiya Mulya University has discussed various industries in Indonesia such as Indofood, Gemala, Sinarmas, Adaro and Indocement Indonesia.

Aside from preparing experts who are competent in their fields, graduates of this polytechnic will also provide non-technical skills needed in the digital and disruption era, including problem-solving, creativity, innovation and communication.

The collaboration between Prasetiya Mulya University and Kopo also received support from the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in South Korea.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Seoul, Gandi Sulistiyanto said that the presence of Korean companies in Indonesia, followed by investment in technology and manufacturing, needed to be balanced with the preparedness of skilled workers in their field such as the electric car industry, electric batteries, automation and robotics.

"The establishment of the Prasetiya Mulya - Korea Polytechnic in Indonesia will be an important institution to support in strengthening human resources (HR) as a long-term investment in Indonesia's development during the Industry 4.0 era," he said.

Gandi explained that the condition of Indonesia and Korea is complementary, that is, Korea possesses high technology and knowledge but faces an ageing society.

While Indonesia has a very large demographic bonus with most of the population being in their productive age.

The Attaché of Education and Culture of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Gogot Suharwoto, added that this polytechnic can be a concrete step in preparing human resources according to market needs, which is fully supported by the business and industrial world (DUDI) in Indonesia and South Korea.

ANTARA | IMAJI LASAHIDO (INTERN)

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