RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has launched a national semiconductor training initiative in partnership with Arm and Danantara Indonesia as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s technology workforce and industrial competitiveness. The program is supported by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and targets the development of local semiconductor and chip design expertise.

The initiative was introduced in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology as part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to build a stronger high-tech industrial ecosystem. Officials said the program aims to prepare Indonesian students, researchers, and engineers for future demand in semiconductor and digital technology industries.

Director General of Research and Development at the ministry, Fauzan Adziman, said the training program strengthens Indonesia’s semiconductor talent pipeline beginning at universities. According to him, the initiative connects academic institutions more closely with industry needs and national technological priorities.

“Through the involvement of students, fresh graduates, lecturers, researchers, and technical professionals, this training is expected to become an initial foundation for developing chip design competencies, applied research, and stronger connections between campuses and industry,” Fauzan said. He added that the ministry is also ensuring the training materials remain relevant to Indonesia’s science and technology research needs.

The first phase of the program aims to train up to 1,000 participants and will gradually expand to reach 15,000 students, graduates, and engineers across Indonesia. The initiative focuses on developing local expertise in semiconductor chip design, an increasingly strategic sector in the global technology industry.

Officials said the program supports President Prabowo Subianto’s national priority agenda on economic transformation, downstream industrial development, and digitalization. Indonesia has identified semiconductor development as a strategic sector to strengthen future economic growth and technological independence.

Chief Technology Officer of Danantara Indonesia, Sigit P. Santosa, emphasized that technology talent development is critical to Indonesia’s long-term economic sustainability. He noted that semiconductors will play a central role in shaping future industries and innovation.

“As emphasized by President Prabowo Subianto, semiconductors are the foundation of our future industries and the basis of Indonesia’s future prosperity,” Sigit said. He stressed that investment in advanced technological skills will help Indonesia compete more effectively in the global digital economy.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said the semiconductor industry requires long-term investment in talent development, research capacity, and integration into global supply chains. According to him, the participation of 1,000 trainees in the initial phase reflects Indonesia’s growing ambition in the sector.

“With 1,000 talents participating in this course today, we see a bright future for Indonesia, and we believe those trained by Arm will become Indonesia’s future leaders in the semiconductor industry,” Airlangga said. The training program will be conducted gradually across different regions in Indonesia through a combination of in-person sessions and Arm’s global infrastructure support.