Deputy Minister of Migrant Worker Protection Supports UMP in Developing RPL for Migrant Workers
Purwokerto (ANTARA) - The Deputy Minister of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI), Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla, supports the Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto (UMP) in Central Java to develop Prior Learning Recognition (RPL) to improve the competence and competitiveness of migrant workers.
Speaking after attending the Open Senate Session for UMP’s 61st Anniversary at the Ukhuwah Islamiyah Auditorium in Banyumas Regency on Friday, Dzulfikar stated that RPL can serve as a means to provide formal recognition for the experience and learning acquired by prospective and existing migrant workers before they pursue formal higher education.
“We welcome this positively. Especially as President Prabowo Subianto is serious about his directive programme, ‘SMK Go Global’,” he said.
According to him, the university can serve as a focal point for preparing prospective migrant workers with competencies that meet international labour market needs, including proficiency in the languages of destination countries.
“We hope this university becomes one of our focal points in preparing reliable workers and prospective migrant workers. Not only in preparing basic competencies but also in providing language classes,” he added.
Dzulfikar noted that the university’s 61-year history in higher education serves as vital capital to support the improvement of human resource quality for migrant workers. He expressed hope that UMP would eventually achieve the status of a World Class University.
Meanwhile, the Rector of UMP, Prof. Jebul Suroso, stated that the university will soon open learning through the RPL scheme targeting students from various countries.
“God willing, we have students from 45 countries, and we will soon open RPL learning for international students,” he said. He explained that the university currently hosts students from approximately 45 nations, making the development of RPL part of an effort to expand educational access and strengthen the campus’s internationalisation.
He expressed hope that RPL would not only target the families of migrant workers residing in Indonesia but also Indonesian citizens working abroad, ensuring their experience and learning are recognised for further education.
Additionally, the Head of LLDIKTI Region VI Central Java, Prof. Aisyah Endah Palupi, noted that RPL can facilitate the public in obtaining recognition for experience and learning acquired prior to entering higher education. She expressed hope that the development of RPL and educational innovation would produce graduates who contribute positively to society at local, national, and international levels.