Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology urges Nahdlatul Ulama universities to address graduate-job market mismatch

Universities must be capable of producing graduates who are adaptive, competitive, and aligned with the rapidly evolving dynamics of industry. Pasuruan, East Java (ANTARA) - The Secretary General (Sekjen) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), Badri Munir Sukoco, has urged Nahdlatul Ulama universities (PTNU) to address the mismatch between higher education graduates and the needs of the job market. This was stated at the Halal Bihalal and NU Education Seminar organised by the LPT PWNU East Java at Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) Pasuruan on Saturday, attended by leaders of PTNU across East Java. “PTNU must be at the forefront in transforming Indonesia’s human resources to be relevant to future economic needs,” said Badri in Pasuruan on Saturday. He stressed that universities must produce graduates who are adaptive, competitive, and suited to the fast-developing dynamics of industry. In addition, he emphasised the importance of strengthening science and technology fields within PTNU to enhance national economic complexity through innovations generated from campuses. In his presentation, Badri also highlighted the concept of the creative class, a group of creative individuals as a key factor in advancing the nation. He explained that if around 20 percent of Indonesia’s human resources possess high innovation capacity, Indonesia has the opportunity to escape the middle-income trap. According to him, PTNU has great potential with its broad mass base, thus able to serve as a driving force in creating superior human resources with global competitiveness. “If this potential is managed with the right educational orchestration, then NU citizens will become the main driving force for national progress towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” said Badri. Through the seminar, it is hoped that PTNU in East Java can strengthen synergy in improving education quality and contribute to national science and technology sovereignty.