RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - International collaboration is key to improving the quality of technology-based education in Indonesia. A STEM-based robotics workshop at the Central Jakarta Education Training and Development Center strengthened the collaboration between Jakarta State University (UNJ) and Pueblo Science Canada.

Themed "Bringing Robotics to Life: Hands-on Training to Strengthen STEAM," the event involved 50 teachers, 70 students from Jakarta State University, and researchers from the University of Toronto. This program encourages more applicable and relevant learning to meet future needs.

A researcher from the University of Toronto and founder of Pueblo Science, Mayrose Salvador, explained that her team's involvement in Indonesia began in 2024 through a collaboration with a university in Kalimantan. Since then, the collaboration has grown and eventually reached Jakarta through connections with various educational institutions and support from Canadian representatives.

Mayrose also said Indonesia has great potential for developing STEM education, particularly due to the high enthusiasm of students and teachers for learning new technologies such as robotics. She believes a strong enthusiasm for learning, even in areas with limited facilities, is a crucial asset for creating superior human resources in the future.

She added that with its large young population, Indonesia has the opportunity to produce a competitive workforce in technology, including automation and artificial intelligence. "If this potential continues to be developed, Indonesia can produce talent ready to compete globally, especially in the technology sector with high economic value," Mayrose conveyed.

In its implementation, Mayrose emphasized the importance of practice-based learning methods, or learning by doing. She believes that hands-on experience through experiments and projects such as robotics will stimulate students' curiosity and foster deeper understanding compared to conventional learning methods.

The workshop was also designed to equip teachers with basic skills, including programming and the use of robotics devices in the classroom. This is considered crucial considering that many educators still lack access to or experience integrating technology into the teaching and learning process.

The Dean of Jakarta State University (UNJ), Hadi Nasbey, explained that this activity is part of a community service program involving collaboration between the university, the government, and international partners. He stated that mastery of mathematics and robotics is key to facing the future, and opened up opportunities for similar programs to be expanded to various regions in Indonesia on a sustainable basis.

Meanwhile, a representative from the regional government, Eric Phahlevi Zakaria Lumbun, emphasized his commitment to continuing to support the development of technology-based education. "Mastery of mathematics and robotics is key to facing the future. We hope programs like this can continue to be expanded to various regions in Indonesia," Eric said.