When Higher Education Must Adapt to Students' Life Journeys
The journey towards higher education is not always a straight path. For many students, university studies must be pursued alongside working, supporting families, or being the first in their family to access higher education.
This reality is reflected in the experiences of students at Kalbis University in Jakarta and Horizon University in Karambang, both managed by the Triputra Persada Horizon Education Foundation. One such student is Dinda, a student in the Employee Class programme at Kalbis University. She previously paused her studies to support her family after seeing her father, who lives with a disability, working as a driver.
After four years of working, Dinda returned to her studies. She chose the Employee Class programme to pursue a degree in Business Management while continuing to work full-time in Jakarta. “I used to think that studying and working could not be done simultaneously. The Kalbis Employee Class programme proved my assumption wrong. I can continue to develop my career while earning a degree without having to choose between the two,” Dinda stated, as quoted from a press release on Friday (18/9/2026).
A similar story comes from Farras, a Nursing graduate from Horizon University, who became the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree. For his mother, Yayah, this achievement was not just about the degree, but also about the support received throughout the educational journey.
The stories of Dinda and Farras demonstrate that access and support are vital components in a student’s journey to completing higher education. Economic conditions, employment, and family responsibilities are often inseparable from their lives as students.
Dr Raymundo P. Reyes, Country Head of PHINMA Education for Indonesia, stated that every student possesses a different background and set of challenges. Therefore, he believes the education system needs to consider students’ lives outside the classroom.
“Every student has a different journey. Some are working professionals, some are the first in their families to pursue higher education, and many must balance their studies with family responsibilities,” he said. He added that higher education must be able to adapt to students’ circumstances so they have a greater opportunity to complete their education and achieve their respective goals.
Currently, Horizon Education manages Horizon University in Karawang and Kalbis University in Jakarta, with a total student population of over 3,500. At Kalbis University, the number of new students has reportedly increased more than threefold since coming under the management of Horizon Education in 2024. Study programmes include business, technology, communications, psychology, design, and tourism, alongside new programmes such as Nursing, Midwifery, Primary School Teacher Education, and English Language Education.
Meanwhile, at Horizon University, the student population has nearly tripled over the last six years, approaching 3,000 students. The campus serves the Purwasukasi area, covering Purwakarta, Subang, and Bekasi Regency. Horizon University also recorded a 100 per cent passing rate in the 2026 Competency Test for the Nurse Professional Programme. A 100 per cent passing rate has also been maintained for the Diploma in Midwifery for four consecutive years and the Diploma in Nursing for three consecutive years.
In addition to academic programmes, both universities run the Global Workplace English Program, designed to help students improve their English proficiency and confidence through active learning, coaching, and mentoring.