
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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