NDP Batam develops digital talent through Garuda Spark launch
Nongsa Digital Park (NDP) Batam, Riau Islands, is strengthening local digital talent development through the launch of the Garuda Spark Innovation Hub (GSIH), which serves as a collaboration platform for young people in technology and the digital economy.
Batam Regional Secretary Firmansyah said NDP’s presence has contributed to the development of the digital economy in Batam while opening opportunities for the community.
“Human resource development does not happen quickly and requires movements and initiatives such as NDP. Hopefully in the future it can further advance the digital economy and digital ecosystem in Batam so that it continues to grow,” Firmansyah said in Batam on Wednesday.
He assessed that the presence of GSIH can serve as a platform for Generation Z in Batam to enhance their skills while connecting with the digital ecosystem that has developed at NDP.
NDP Director of Corporate Affairs Peters Vincen said Batam has great potential to become part of the digital economy’s development.
“We are working on how to build talent at NDP. We already have Infinite Learning, Apple Academy, and game developers as well. We hope to collaborate with academics and the government to mobilise local talent,” he said.
According to Peters, around 49 percent of the workforce at Kinema Studios, located at NDP, is local.
Going forward, NDP wants more Batam talent to play a role in the digital industry, both nationally and internationally.
“We want our young people to be able to play a role locally and internationally. Let us collaborate together to realise our shared digital economy future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Infinite Learning Programme Director Ari Nugrahanto said the talent development programme at NDP has produced more than 10,000 graduates since 2019.
Of that number, around 57 percent have been absorbed into various foreign, multinational and local companies in Indonesia.
“We can no longer say our talent is cheap labour, but competitive labour. That is the most important thing,” he said.
The launch of GSIH at NDP is part of a national launch held by the Ministry of Communication and Digital simultaneously in 10 cities on 26 August 2026.
Speaking online, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid said GSIH was established to ensure that digital potential in various regions does not operate in isolation.
In Batam, particularly at NDP, GSIH will serve as a collaboration space for gaming communities, animation, digital entrepreneurs and various other elements to exchange ideas, identify problems and develop joint solutions.