Indonesia Expands Higher Education Access for Workers

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia expands access to higher education for workers through a partnership between Universitas Terbuka (UT) and the Confederation of All-Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KSPSI). The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding on higher education’s three pillars and human resource development in Jakarta on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, said the partnership could help strengthen workers’ skills and capabilities while allowing them to continue working. He said improving workers’ competencies could also have a positive impact on the industries where they are employed.

“This is very good. This is truly noble. I believe we should increase the number of graduates and citizens who can enjoy higher education, because we all believe that the best investment a nation can make is an investment in education,” Brian said.

He said opportunities for workers to pursue higher education while maintaining their employment could provide broader benefits for individuals and industries. “This will not only increase the capacity and capabilities of our workers, but will also strengthen the industries where our workers are employed, so everyone will gain positive value,” the Minister said.

He also highlighted the potential of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to help workers continue their education. Through RPL, workers’ existing skills and professional experience can be recognized, potentially shortening their study period, while technology-based learning can provide greater flexibility for workers to study using available devices and their free time.

Brian expressed hope that the program could be expanded to reach more workers across Indonesia. He also called for wider dissemination of information about opportunities to pursue higher education while working, so more workers can benefit from the program.

Meanwhile, KSPSI Chairman General, Muhammad Jumhur Hidayat, who also serves as Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, welcomed the partnership with UT. “We want to encourage workers who may not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education to take this opportunity,” Jumhur said.

UT Rector, Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, said the partnership could expand higher education opportunities for workers and their families through UT’s flexible learning system. “Universitas Terbuka has broad coverage, KSPSI has a strong network of workers, and Indonesia has a major need for high-quality human resources; by bringing these three strengths together through productive cooperation, I believe we are building a new pathway to expand educational opportunities for Indonesians,” Ali said.