Govt Urges Youth to Innovate on Technology
Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara delivers his speech during the 2019 Communication Week at the Convention Center of Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Monday (8/4). (Photo by: Ministry of Communications and Informatics)
Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara invited Indonesian students and youth to accomplish more remarkable achievements and advance Indonesia to the International arena, especially in the field of communication which has considerable opportunities that is in line with the ease of access to technology and information.
“Communication is not only a matter of delivering messages. Despite being in the era of disruption, through communication, we can innovate. Students can make full use of technology to create innovation,” Rudiantara said during the 2019 Communication Week adopting the theme Forum Disruption to Innovation: Change Your Tire or Expire, at the Convention Center of Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Monday (8/4). For the record, Communication Week is a national competition presenting communication science students from various universities in Indonesia that aimed at honing the abilities and talents of students in the communication field.
According to the Minister, if the youth are stagnant, Indonesia would not be able to compete fiercely in international level. He also said that in order to support and encourage the creativity of Indonesian youth, he would not stop to attend events and convey the global changes that occurred today.
“Thus, I am here at Universitas Indonesia or any other events held by youth to deliver potential changes in the future and how we respond to it,” said Rudiantara.
The Minister expressed his belief that Indonesian youth who are in the productive age have a bright future. They will be the foundation of the country’s economy in the next few years.
He stated that there are three predictions for Indonesia for 2030. First, Indonesia will enjoy the peak of its demographic bonus where the productive age is twice that of the non-productive age. Secondly, the country’s economic condition will also be as stronger as today’s economy of all ASEAN countries combined. Finally, there will be an additional 90 million Indonesians to join the consuming class from 45 million.
“So, there will be 135 million people joining the consuming class by 2030. If the average age of students is 21-22 years, in the next 10 years they will join the demographic bonus in Indonesia,” said Rudiantara, adding that he will ensure the predictions will be realized in the future.
In addition, the Minister also stated that the focus of the Government is the development of human resources. The target is to build and develop a domestic ecosystem of youth who master the future technology. According to him, one of the efforts made was by actualizing the Digital Talent Scholarship program under the Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
“One of our problems is human resources. Indonesia needs an average of 600 thousand digital talents each year. This year, the Government targets 20 thousand digital talents, a maximum of 25 thousand. Hopefully, it will be reached. Next year, we will add the number, he said.
Minister Rudiantara explained that the program was enthusiastically welcomed by the youth. In 2018, the Ministry launched a pilot project for 1000 digital talents.
“The registrants reached 46 thousand, while those who took the test were 21 thousand. However, at that time, we only accepted one thousand digital talents. We prepare Indonesian youth to be able to compete globally. We have established cooperation with Universitas Indonesia which is one of contributors of that program,” he concluded.
In the meantime, the Dean of Social and Political Sciences Faculty of Universitas Indonesia Arie Setiabudi Soesilo expressed his appreciation to Minister Rudiantara for the motivation and encouragement to Indonesian youth that they will concentrate on current global issues, in general, and Indonesia, in particular. (Ministry of Communication and Informatics Public Relations Bureau / EN)
Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Rany A. Subachrum, Mia M. Bonaedy
