EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — The government is once again linking campuses with the business sector. Through the University Graduate Internship Program, the state seeks to ensure that young talent does not remain merely a graduation statistic, but instead enters real workplaces. The program is positioned as one of the pillars of human capital development, a foundation prepared to support economic transformation toward Indonesia Emas 2045.
At SCTV Tower in Jakarta on Wednesday, December 17, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto directly monitored the implementation of the program at EMTEK Group. Addressing the interns, he emphasized that this opportunity was not a trial run. “The interns present today are the best. This is a prime opportunity because EMTEK is a world-class company that is also recognized by global corporations,” Airlangga said.
According to Airlangga, EMTEK Group serves as an example of industry engagement in the government’s strategic agenda. The media and technology company provides hands-on learning opportunities for university graduates, placing them in high-demand sectors such as digital and media, technology and data, business development, as well as people and governance. These fields reflect the face of today’s industry—and the direction of future needs.
For the government, internships are more than short-term programs. The six-month internship period is viewed as a state investment in the younger generation: providing work experience, introducing industry culture, and training adaptability to the increasingly dynamic pace of the workplace. The main target is clear—young graduates of productive age who are projected to become the backbone of the national economy in the next two decades.
Airlangga also highlighted the increasingly decisive role of the digital economy in shaping Indonesia’s growth trajectory. With a large domestic market, Indonesia has become one of the leading digital economies in ASEAN. The challenge lies in ensuring the availability of talent—particularly in technology, data, and the creative industries—capable of keeping pace with this growth.
To the interns, Airlangga urged them to use this opportunity to continue learning and to build professional networks. Meanwhile, he encouraged company leaders and mentors to provide guidance that goes beyond technical skills, encompassing work ethic, character, and soft skills.
“Build networks and knowledge that can also be carried to other workplaces. Make the most of this opportunity, because 20 years from now, this generation will be the one leading Indonesia,” Airlangga said in closing.
The event was also attended by Senior Advisor for Regional Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Haryo Limanseto, Assistance Team member Abdul Kodir Djaelani, SCTV Editor-in-Chief Retno Pinasti, Managing Director of EMTEK Group and CEO of EMTEK Media and Vidio Sutanto Hartono, Managing Director of Vidio Hermawan Sutanto, Assistant Deputy for Productivity Enhancement and Employment Ecosystem Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Chairul Saleh, as well as national internship participants who are university graduates of the 2025 cohort. (*)
