Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question

Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question

From Asia Specific by BBC World Service

May 29, 2026 · 19 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of a senior Indonesian official's comments on 'irrelevant' university degrees and the need for better alignment of education with the evolving job market, particularly in STEM fields.

Comments by a senior Indonesian official about students pursuing “irrelevant” university degrees has sparked a debate about what sort of careers will survive in a fast-changing job market. Indonesia is looking at ways to better equip universities and vocational schools for the future job market, and a relatively low level of graduates with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degrees has the government concerned. It’s a priority across Asia, with governments trying different methods to increase the number of STEM students, with some like China and Malaysia having more success than others. But with AI-related job losses hitting the global tech sector particularly hard, should we be rethinking the types of careers that will withstand the artificial intelligence shock? Host Mariko Oi is joined by journalist Astudestra Ajengrastri from the BBC World Service in Jakarta and Bill Birtles from the Asia Specific podcast team. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian…

People in this episode

Host: Mariko Oi

Guest: Astudestra Ajengrastri

Topics covered

  • university degrees
  • job market
  • STEM education
  • artificial intelligence
  • career development
  • vocational training

Keywords

  • Indonesia
  • STEM
  • job market
  • AI impact
  • vocational education
  • university degrees
  • career paths

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service

Places: Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Asia Pacific

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