To build infrastructure across the archipelago, Indonesia requires an additional 125,000 engineers, according to a report from Media Indonesia. If the shortage is not covered by Indonesian engineers then there is a high possibility that this opportunity might be filled by foreign skilled workers.
Director General of Research Strengthening and Development of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (Kemenristek Dikti) Muhammad Dimyati said Indonesia must meet the engineer shortage in the next five years. Moreover, Indonesia is starting to implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will open up the opportunity for professional mobility in the region.
Dimyati urged universities to open more technology-related majors. He also encouraged students to have a passion for research and to create competitive innovations.
Source: print edition of Media Indonesia, page 11 (27 July 2015), published in Indonesian language.
British Council commentary, by Lisa Wilianto, Programme Manager, British Council Indonesia:
Engineering and Technology is the second most popular subject area for Indonesian students studying in the UK, after Business Studies. According to HESA data the number has increased from 200 in 2010/11 to 320 in 2013/14. While not a large number, this increase suggests that institutions that are strong in Engineering may be able to recruit students in Indonesia. Meanwhile based on exhibition registration data, Business and Administrative Studies is still the utmost subject area of preference followed by Social Studies and Communications then Engineering and Technology.
The shortage of trained engineers in the country, and therefore strong employment prospects, is a message that universities should communicate when conducting student recruitment activities. In addition under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) engineers may be able to work in other countries in Southeast Asia. Being well recognised in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, a UK qualification would be an asset for Indonesian engineers looking to potentially take advantage of this career pathway.