UI Employer Forum 2026: Building a Globally Competitive Indonesian Talent Ecosystem

Universitas Indonesia (UI) is strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions, alumni, and industry to build a talent ecosystem capable of competing globally. This commitment was realised through the 2026 Employer Forum, themed ‘Beyond Borders – The Next-Gen Talent Ecosystem for a World-Class Indonesia’, held in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan stated that universities have a strategic role in preparing the younger generation for an increasingly competitive job market. He said graduates must be viewed as national assets that can strengthen Indonesia’s position globally, not only economically but also in supporting diplomatic and geopolitical interests. Fauzan expressed hope that UI would become a model for producing professional talent ready to compete internationally. ‘Campuses need to build curricula and programmes that are closer to industry needs through strong partnerships with the business world,’ he said. This view aligns with UI’s efforts to strengthen ties between academia and the workplace. UI Vice-Rector for Planning, Finance, and Human Resources Ahmad Gamal said the Employer Forum serves as a strategic dialogue space to match industry needs with the talent development process at universities. He noted that a university’s reputation is no longer determined solely by academic achievements but also by the career quality and contributions of its alumni. ‘How graduates build careers and contribute after graduation now determines how a university is assessed globally,’ he said. A UI survey revealed that 71.3 per cent of its graduates secure employment within three months of completing their studies, with 28.3 per cent working in international companies or organisations. However, Gamal acknowledged a persistent competency gap, particularly in non-technical aspects such as adaptability, responsibility, cross-cultural collaboration, and integrity. He stressed that closer collaboration between universities, alumni, the business world, and various stakeholders is needed to address these challenges. The importance of cross-sector collaboration was also highlighted by alumni working at a global level. Mohamad Al-Arief, Managing Director of Global Relations & Governance at Danantara Indonesia, said technological developments and digitalisation have erased many geographical boundaries in the world of work. He argued that UI and other universities must build a globally connected talent ecosystem, in line with Indonesia’s ambition to become a major economic power by 2045. ‘We must bridge the gap between academia and industry. This gap is still too large for Indonesia,’ he said. The forum also featured a panel discussion titled ‘World-Class Indonesia’, bringing together representatives from the legal, industrial, health, and technology sectors to discuss the competencies Indonesian talent needs to compete globally. From the legal sector, Andra Rahadian, Partner and Co-Founder of Dentons HPRP, assessed that universities need to equip students with cross-disciplinary abilities, the skill to manage complexity, and the capacity to build trust. The UI alumnus noted that specialisation is not the only valuable element in global organisations. ‘What is needed is the ability to understand various possibilities and make decisions amid uncertainty,’ he said. Meanwhile, Irma Yunita, Corporate Affairs at PT Fast Retailing Indonesia (Uniqlo Indonesia), said global companies are not just looking for graduates with good academic records. Character, learning ability, leadership, adaptability, and collaboration are highly valued aspects. She explained that global companies need talent who understand international standards while being able to read local market needs and culture. This is crucial as companies like Uniqlo operate in many countries with different market characteristics. ‘Character, learning ability, leadership, collaboration, and the willingness to keep developing are aspects we pay close attention to,’ she said. From the health sector, Clinical Nutrition Specialist Nadhira Afifa emphasised the importance of courage in seizing opportunities, adaptability, and a willingness to grow. She believes these qualities enable Indonesian talent to overcome background limitations and compete globally. She cited her personal experience, growing up in North Bekasi with limited access, yet successfully pursuing education at UI and Harvard University. ‘Getting into the best schools or universities is a good thing, but it is not the final goal. It is merely a means to achieve a greater purpose,’ she said. Enterprise and Public Sector Director of Google Cloud Indonesia Adir Ginting highlighted the importance of Indonesia’s readiness for the era of artificial intelligence (AI). He said Indonesia has a great opportunity to become a major player in the global digital economy if it can produce talent who not only use technology but also create innovation. However, he noted that Indonesia often faces challenges related not only to physical infrastructure like data centres, internet networks, and hardware, but also to mindset and discipline in utilising technology.