Strengthening collaboration between higher education and industry is key to producing graduates who are competitive, adaptive, and equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the workforce. Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the UGM Creativity and Innovation Hub (GIK UGM), has officially launched the 2025 Talent Development Class (TDC), a talent development program that provides a platform for students to learn directly from industry professionals.
Since 2023, GIK UGM has organized the Talent Development Class (TDC).
This year, adjustments were made to the curriculum design, with around 370 students set to receive direct guidance from industry partners to deepen their understanding of real-world industrial practices.
Some of the participating partners include TikTok Shop by Tokopedia, Yandex, Paragon Corp, Sinar Mas Agri, Tech Connect by Sinar Mas Mining, and PT. YPTI.
Director of GIK UGM, Dr. Alfatika Aunuriella Dini, stated that TDC is one of GIK’s flagship programs aligned with the Magang Berdampak initiative introduced by the Ministry of Education.
She expressed her hope that students taking part in this program will seize the exceptional opportunities ahead.
“We encourage students to make the most of every opportunity, ask questions, absorb knowledge from industry partners, and give their best effort in tackling real-world industrial challenges,” she said on Tuesday (Aug. 19) at GIK UGM.
Meanwhile, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, Vice-Rector for Research, Business Development, and Cooperation at UGM, emphasized that throughout one semester, TDC participants will face various industry challenges through a capstone project.
In this process, they will receive direct mentoring from industry practitioners.
“This will spark innovations or programs that are truly needed by industries and, ideally, will be absorbed by the business sector,” he explained.
Vice-Rector Hadmoko further highlighted that student participation in TDC provides an invaluable opportunity to learn directly from the source.
According to him, the presence of industries on campus is an important step to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world.
“Many industries have expressed concerns about the readiness of graduates entering the workforce. Therefore, UGM invites industry partners to be deeply involved, not only in curriculum development but also in instilling an industrial mindset in students from an early stage,” he added.
Following the opening ceremony of the TDC 2025 program, students joined a talk show with representatives from each industry partner.
During the session, students gained initial insights into the industrial world while learning how their ideas could contribute to meeting real-world needs.
After the talk show, participants began their first classes in TDC alongside their chosen industry partners.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie