Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata received Director of Vocational Education Program Universitas Indonesia (UI) Dr. Padang Wicaksono in Tokyo on 6 February 2023 to exchange ideas on possible collaboration between the two institutions. Director Dr. Padang expressed interest in collaborating in strengthening the vocational education training center at UI.

“Indonesia has achieved the momentum of a demography dividend, and it is the right time for Indonesians to modify the way they perform work to be more productive. Collaboration with the APO and other institutions at global level is therefore needed. Otherwise, the middle-income trap is unavoidable,” said Director Dr. Padang. He emphasized that productivity improvement should start at an early stage to prepare graduates for entering the workforce with a foundation in productivity.

Secretary-General Dr. Indra expressed appreciation for the university’s efforts in developing an all-encompassing plan to improve the productivity of potential employees by improving their skills, which started with educational activities, combined with a comprehensive program such as internships, and continued through industry acceptance. “We look forward for future collaboration between the APO and UI,” he stated in concluding the meeting.

APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra P. Singawinata (L) and Director of Vocational Education Program Universitas Indonesia Dr. Padang Wicaksono.