In the midst of Indonesia’s accelerating digital transformation, one of the most urgent national priorities is preparing a skilled and resilient workforce to support the country’s growing digital infrastructure. To meet this challenge head-on, DataGarda has partnered with Universitas Indonesia (UI), one of the nation’s most respected academic institutions, in a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at closing the talent gap in the data center industry.
A Strategic Partnership with Lasting Impact
This partnership was formalized through a Letter of Intent (LOI No. 001/LOI/L&D/DPGS/06/24), signed on June 14, 2024, by Dr.-Ing. Budi Sudiarto, Head of Community Services, Department of Electrical Engineering at UI, and Tengku Reza Syahrezal, CEO of DataGarda. It marks more than a symbolic gesture—it is a structured and strategic commitment to building Indonesia’s future digital workforce.
The urgency is clear. Indonesia’s data center market is growing by an estimated 28% annually, yet it continues to face:
- A severe shortage of skilled professionals
- Increasing “talent wars” among service providers competing for the same pool of experienced talent
This partnership aims to address these challenges at their root: through education, training, and early engagement with future professionals.
A Talkshow That Set the Tone
The collaboration officially launched with a flagship event: Talkshow Data Center Awareness – The Strategic Role of Data Centers in Modern Engineering, held on September 12, 2024, at the Faculty of Engineering UI in Depok. The talkshow brought together over 100 participants — including students, faculty, industry experts, and government stakeholders — and served as a powerful platform for cross-sector dialogue.
Speakers including Tengku Reza Syahrezal (CEO, DataGarda) and Hendra Suryakusuma (Chairman, Indonesia Data Center Provider Organization / IDPRO) emphasized the critical role data centers play in enabling e-commerce, smart cities, financial systems, and government infrastructure. The session was moderated by Dr. I Gde Dharma Nugraha, with additional academic insights from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Kalamullah Ramli, M.Eng., reinforcing the importance of collaboration between academia, regulators, and the private sector.
Programs Designed for Real-World Impact
Moving beyond one-off events, this partnership is structured around concrete programs to develop future-ready talent:
- Curriculum Development
Co-designing academic modules that reflect real-world data center operations and challenges - Trainer Certification
Empowering lecturers and instructors with industry-aligned training and credentials - Internships & Facility Visits
Providing students with direct exposure to live operational environments - Expert Sessions & Industry Seminars
Regular engagement with practitioners to share knowledge, trends, and insights - Professional Certification
Offering students certification paths to validate their skills and boost employability
Implementation and Governance
To ensure sustainable execution, the partnership includes a detailed implementation framework:
- Active participation from both institutions
- Quarterly evaluations to assess program impact
- Dedicated coordinators assigned by both parties
- Shared resources and knowledge exchange
- Initial one-year term, renewable with a 30-day termination clause
- Strict confidentiality protocols to ensure integrity
Strengthening Indonesia’s Role in the Regional Ecosystem
As Southeast Asia becomes a global hotspot for digital infrastructure, Indonesia must secure its place not only through physical investments but also through its human capital. This partnership is a long-term investment in that future.
By combining academic strength with industry expertise, DataGarda and Universitas Indonesia are building a scalable, sustainable, and strategic model for developing digital talent — one that addresses root causes instead of short-term hiring fixes.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a student aspiring to enter the tech sector, an academic looking to shape the next generation, or an organization seeking to support Indonesia’s digital transformation — your role matters. Join us in shaping the future.
For more information, visit www.datagarda.com or contact us at hr-ld@datagarda.com.
