EduAsiaNews, Bandung – Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) officially inaugurated the Unpad Skills Hub & Migrant Center through a plaque-signing ceremony by Indonesian Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Mukhtarudin at Bale Rumawat, Unpad’s Dipati Ukur Campus, on Friday (Oct. 9). The inauguration marked Unpad’s efforts to improve the skills and readiness of prospective Indonesian migrant workers to compete in the international labor market.
“From start to finish, Unpad can provide support ranging from training and placement to post-placement services. Former migrant workers can also receive further training to become young entrepreneurs,” the minister said in his remarks.
The Unpad Skills Hub & Migrant Center is a training facility open to the public, particularly those seeking to prepare for employment overseas. It focuses on enhancing prospective migrant workers’ skills and competencies to meet the needs of the international labor market.
Mukhtarudin praised Unpad for serving as a strategic partner of the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) in preparing Indonesian migrant workers who are skilled, professional, globally competitive and protected. He explained that training costs for prospective migrant workers, which can reach approximately Rp25 million, are covered by the state budget, allowing participants to attend the training free of charge.
“My hope is that the Unpad Skills Hub & Migrant Center will become a one-stop service center connecting education with the international labor market through better access to information on required competencies, certification training, foreign-language proficiency and career guidance,” Mukhtarudin said.
Meanwhile, Unpad Rector Prof. Arief S. Kartasasmita said the development of the Unpad Skills Hub & Migrant Center aligned with the university’s vision of becoming a more inclusive institution. Through the facility, Unpad aims to expand public access to quality education and training without requiring participants to be enrolled as Unpad students.
“This presents a major opportunity for us to connect university-based training with labor market needs, ultimately benefiting both the public and the university,” the rector said.
The event was attended by Unpad Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Zahrotur Rusyida Hinduan; Vice Rector for Research, Cooperation and Marketing Prof. Rizky Abdulah; members of Unpad’s leadership team; KP2MI officials; and representatives of the West Java provincial government.
Unpad is also preparing to develop a new training facility on Jalan Ir. H. Juanda in Bandung. The facility will include accommodation, a larger building and more advanced laboratories. It is expected to expand the scope of training programs, including those for nurses and other workers in demand in the international labor market.
