SMU's Strategic Leap into Indonesia's Dynamic Higher Education Landscape

Singapore Management University (SMU), a leading institution renowned for its innovative business and management education, has taken a bold step in regional expansion by formally launching SMU Indonesia as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Registered as PT SMU International Indonesia in April 2025, this move elevates SMU's presence from its initial Overseas Centre in Jakarta, established in December 2022, to a full-fledged operational entity. The subsidiary is strategically positioned at The Energy Building on the 20th floor in Jakarta's bustling SCBD district, serving as a hub for talent cultivation amid Indonesia's rapid economic growth and technological shifts.

This development aligns seamlessly with SMU's broader global ambitions under its SMU2030 strategic plan, which emphasizes 'Shaping Impact, Transforming Lives' through enhanced regional engagement. By embedding itself deeper into ASEAN's largest economy, SMU aims to bridge educational outcomes with industry demands, fostering a reciprocal ecosystem of knowledge exchange that benefits students, professionals, and economies on both sides.

Addressing Indonesia's Pressing Talent Challenges

Indonesia, with its population exceeding 270 million and projected to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2045, grapples with significant workforce hurdles. Youth unemployment rates for those aged 15-24 hover around 13-16%, more than double the national average of approximately 4.8%. Compounding this, about one-third of young workers are in roles mismatched with their education levels, while 3.5 million graduates enter the job market annually. These statistics underscore a vertical mismatch where skills do not align with market needs, particularly in high-growth sectors.

SMU Indonesia steps in at a critical juncture, responding to Indonesia's 'triple readiness' workforce agenda outlined by Manpower Minister Yassierli. This framework calls for technical proficiency, digital fluency (especially AI and data science), and enduring human capabilities like adaptability and leadership by 2030. Sectors such as banking and finance, natural resources, mining, energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, logistics, and transportation face acute skill gaps in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics, hindering digital economy expansion.

Core Objectives: Upskilling for an AI-Driven Future

The subsidiary's mandate is multifaceted, focusing on non-degree executive leadership programs and customized training delivered independently in Indonesia. It acts as a nexus for student mobility—including internships and study visits—alumni networking, research collaborations, and outreach. By partnering with Indonesian academia, industry, and government, SMU Indonesia co-designs curricula that embed industry-relevant skills, ensuring graduates are not just knowledgeable but employable.

A cornerstone is leveraging SMU's Resilient Workforces Institute (ResWORK), launched in January 2026. ResWORK examines AI's impact on jobs through three pillars: optimizing human-machine collaboration (e.g., AI-augmented learning via AR/VR), transforming organizations for tech adaptation, and maximizing societal human capital via policy insights. This interdisciplinary approach personalizes adult learning and studies human-robot dynamics, directly addressing Indonesia's needs for AI-inclusive workforce transformation.

Flagship Initiatives Tailored for Impact

Key programs include:

• AI-Inclusive Workforce Transformation: Extending ResWORK to analyze youth employment disruptions and skill demands in Indonesia's digital sectors.
• Urban Innovation Capability Building: Collaboration with Jakarta Smart City on digital solutions for sustainable urban planning.
• Industry-Embedded Learning: Joint curriculum design with banking, energy, and resources firms for evolving roles and leadership.
• Bilateral Talent Mobility: Global Ready Talent and Global Summer Programme for cross-border experiential learning between Singapore and Indonesia.

These initiatives aim to scale education-industry linkages, reducing underemployment and boosting graduate outcomes.

Photo by Zulfikar Arifuzzaki on Unsplash

Forging Strong Partnerships Across Borders

SMU Indonesia builds on existing ties with Indonesia's Ministries of Education and Manpower, Bank Indonesia, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Recent discussions with UI explore expanded academic collaborations, while broader Singapore-Indonesia efforts like the RI-SING University Network promote postgraduate programs, joint research, and continuing education.

This network exemplifies growing higher education synergies, with events like the ASEAN+3 meetings in Singapore emphasizing AI-era cooperation. SMU's International Advisory Council (IAC) Indonesia chair, Haryanto Adikoesoemo of AKR Corporindo, champions closer academia-industry ties to fill gaps in data science and cybersecurity.

Enhancing Singapore-Indonesia Bilateral Ties

Beyond talent development, the subsidiary reinforces Singapore-Indonesia relations, key ASEAN partners. It facilitates knowledge exchange, positioning SMU as Asia's gateway university per its Vision 2025 'Growth in Asia' pillar, now amplified in SMU2030. Student exchanges and joint research promote mutual understanding, while executive programs upskill Indonesian leaders, indirectly benefiting Singapore's regional hub status.

In a region where cross-border mobility is rising, such initiatives address shared challenges like AI disruption, echoing Tech:X Programme for young tech professionals.

Implications for ASEAN Higher Education

SMU Indonesia sets a model for Singaporean universities expanding regionally, amid Indonesia's push for global partnerships via HEPCON 2026. It highlights the shift from traditional teaching to ecosystem-building, where universities co-create with stakeholders. For ASEAN, this could inspire similar ventures, tackling collective youth unemployment and digital divides.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Leadership Vision

SMU President Professor Lily Kong stated: "Indonesia stands at a defining moment... We hope to contribute to its 'triple readiness' agenda." Adikoesoemo added: "Skill gaps in AI and cybersecurity challenge high-growth firms; SMU Indonesia can bridge this." These voices reflect optimism for collaborative impact.

Experts note this aligns with Indonesia's Gerakan Nasional Indonesia Kompeten 2030, emphasizing competent professionals.

Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Scaling Impact Across ASEAN

Looking ahead, SMU Indonesia plans nationwide rollout in 2026, complementing offices in Thailand and Vietnam. With SMU's track record—top QS rankings and 95% employability—expect amplified research in AI ethics, sustainable energy, and urban tech. This positions Singapore higher education as a regional leader, driving inclusive growth.

For students and professionals, opportunities abound in internships, exec ed, and joint degrees, fostering a borderless talent pool.