The UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM) is opening doors for its graduates to work in various companies in Japan.
Therefore, mastery of computer science, science, and artificial intelligence skills is essential, alongside proficiency in Japanese, which will be taught to students from the beginning.
This was revealed during the Japan Career Center (JCC) launch at FMIPA UGM on Wednesday (Mar. 27) at the FMIPA UGM Auditorium.
In addition to launching the JCC office, FMIPA UGM and the ASEAN Nagoya Club (ANC) Japan signed a memorandum of understanding during the event.
Dean of FMIPA UGM Professor Kuwat Triyana stated that establishing the Japan Career Center at FMIPA UGM opens up potential job opportunities in Japan for graduates.
The JCC will act as a facilitator to produce high-quality graduates through mentoring programs and as a central source of job information.
“Japan’s job market is vast amidst their declining population and productivity. I believe this should be strategically utilized,” said Dean Triyana.
“In the next 2-3 to 10 years, graduates who have worked in Japan will be ready to become professionals, new partners, and able to build networks very well.”
Based on the information he has gathered, Dean Triyana mentioned that the information technology sector, including computer science, is the most absorbing field for FMIPA UGM graduates. However, they will also promote other fields of work.
“The information technology (IT) sector has been the main absorber. We will expand into other fields so that graduates from all programs can be absorbed,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists, Dean Triyana stated that the establishment of the JCC office will expand international networking, and more FMIPA UGM graduates will become global citizens.
Therefore, they are preparing undergraduate and postgraduate graduates as professionals ready to work in various renowned companies in Japan.
According to him, FMIPA graduates have ample opportunities to work in many companies. Apart from IT for computer science graduates, physics graduates can work in the semiconductor industry, chemistry graduates in the cosmetics industry, and mathematics graduates in data science departments.
“This means there will be many opportunities to be utilized,” he said.
Regarding cooperation with ANC Japan, the dean mentioned this company has collaborated with more than 700 companies in Japan. The current collaboration allows students to obtain information about job opportunities, recruitment processes, and self-development activities to prepare for work in the Land of the Rising Sun.
“ANC has collaborated with 700 companies from Japan; I believe it can be a good job market. Our goal is to have more alumni working there,” he said.
ANC Japan Advisor Indra Kesuma Nasution stated that around 67 percent of Japan’s industries are in Nagoya. According to him, Japan currently requires many experts to support its continuous advancement and development. Therefore, it needs high-quality human resources from Indonesia.
“I can liken it to this: Issues in Indonesia can be solved by Japan through agricultural system technology and transportation. Conversely, Indonesians can resolve Japan’s issues through human resources,” he said.
Nasution explained that ANC Japan recruits human resources not only from Indonesia but also from the Southeast Asian region. In Indonesia, ANC Japan has conducted its fifth batch of recruitment, and 212 people have been accepted to work for various companies in Japan.
“There are 212 people. Out of hundreds, more FMIPA UGM alumni, around 80 people, are working there. They work in Tokyo and Nagoya, some in manufacturing industries, finance, programming, and artificial intelligence. Many FMIPA graduates work there,” explained the UGM International Relations graduate.
“On one hand, we are proud; their contributions are significant because what they do produces products and services needed by Japanese, American, European, and Asian citizens and benefits the global community.”
Nasution acknowledged that Indonesian graduates working in Japan also have broad opportunities to work in the United States and Europe with the skills they acquire while working in Japanese companies.
In addition to their skills and knowledge, Japanese companies, according to Nasution, are also happy to recruit graduates from universities in Yogyakarta because they have a strong work ethic and exhibit polite behavior similar to Japanese culture.
“Known for their good work ethics, graduates from Yogyakarta unis are also known for their polite behavior,” he concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson