JAKARTA: Forest Interactive through the Forest Interactive Foundation, continues its #seKODlah - Developing Future TECH Innovators program in 2023. #seKODlah is an intensive learning program for students that spans several months and focuses on fundamental technology competencies.
Through #seKODlah, Forest Interactive contributes to provide students with basic technological knowledge to prepare their skills and build their portfolios for careers in the digital and technology industry. #seKODlah aligns with and is part of the Kampus Merdeka (Independent Campus) program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. The program aims to provide opportunities for students to learn and develop themselves through activities outside of regular lectures while still being recognized as part of their academic curriculum.
Currently, #seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka has entered Batch #4 and is attended by 83 students from various universities in Indonesia. These students undergo intensive learning from February 16 to June 30, 2023, and are taught and mentored by expert lecturers and mentors. Among them are CEO of Forest Interactive, Johary Mustapha; CEO of Wallet Codes, Sharon Maurenn; CEO of Yayasan Insan Bumi Mandiri, Zulfa Fauziah; Deputy Head of Project Management at Forest Interactive Sdn. Bhd., Chung Wennie; Country Manager of Forest Interactive Indonesia, Rizka Arsil, and many others.
The #seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka program consists of workshop series such as Project Management, Product Marketing, Business Development, SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), Software Developer, Web Developer, and Cybersecurity. Additionally, there are capstone projects, career coaching, and industry introductions. Batch #4 of #seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka is attended by students from various majors, including those without an information technology (IT) background.
The Story of a Sports Major Student Learning IT through #seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka
Nanda Farah, a Physical Education and Health/Fitness major student from Universitas Negeri Semarang, considers herself lucky to participate in #seKODlah. She believes that the material presented during #seKODlah is insightful and relevant to the current needs of the time.
According to Farah, the mentors and speakers in #seKODlah provide opportunities for active participation in every class session, ensuring that every participant receives equality and freedom in the learning process.
"I think the #seKODlah program is very worth it and recommended for Generation Z if followed optimally," said Farah.
She believes that participating in the #seKODlah program will have both short-term and long-term benefits. One of the benefits is building a network with knowledgeable and experienced individuals, both from Indonesia and abroad.
Through #seKODlah, Farah gained new hard skills such as software development, web development, and basic programming languages. The capstone project in the #seKODlah program also sharpened her critical thinking, creativity, and effective collaboration skills.
"Every class session available in the #seKODlah program provided me with a positive experience. The program teaches exceptional soft skills, including good communication abilities, and provides success tips for future career preparation," added Farah.
Fauzan's Preparation for the Job Market After Graduation
Similar to Farah, Fauzan Fakhrizal Azmi believes that what he gained through #seKODlah will serve as a foundation for his future career. Fauzan, a Physics Engineering student at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November, is confident that every individual has a unique life path and opportunities.
"The MSIB program, together with #seKODlah and Forest Interactive, is one of the golden tickets for me to seize those opportunities. Through self-learning experiences, I can overcome existing limitations and boundaries," he said.
According to Fauzan, the daily tasks assigned during the #seKODlah sessions has helped to shape his mindset, work ethic, and technical skills. He finds this valuable for his future career.
He also feels fortunate to be in an educational environment that supports his development as a future leader, emphasizing soft skills, appreciation, and feedback on his work.
"Thus, I am grateful to be one of the 83 colleagues trusted to grow together here," said Fauzan.
Furthermore, Fauzan mentioned that he gained inspiration from the mentors throughout #seKODlah. He learned that the use of technology should also focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to benefit others.
As a student in the science and engineering field, Fauzan understands the increasing digitalization in non-technology industries. Companies in market research, cosmetics, music, and others have actively recruited digital talent in recent years.
He also evaluates that through #seKODlah, a program aiming to cultivate students as future innovators through group guidance sessions, basic knowledge and skills workshops in information technology, and final projects, students are able to enhance their work capabilities and advance the development of digital talent, strengthening the digital economy in Indonesia.
"I believe that everyone starts from a different starting point. We can begin by focusing on things we can control and keep progressing every day!"
#seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka Batch #5 Opening Soon!
#seKODlah is a combination of "sekolah" (school) and "kode" (code) since the program revolves around learning and coding. #seKODlah is the flagship program of the Forest Interactive Foundation, launched in Malaysia in 2021. During its implementation, the Forest Interactive Foundation collaborates with various parties such as Insan Bumi Mandiri and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
In Indonesia, the #seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka program was first introduced in mid-2022. Batch #4 of #seKODlah x Kampus Merdeka runs until June, and Batch #5 will soon be opened. For more information, visit www.forest-interactive.com.
About Forest Interactive
Established in 2006, Forest Interactive develops a scalable mobile platform that connects mobile operators with their customers. With over 17 years of industry experience, Forest Interactive has expanded to include a diverse workforce of 20+ nationalities across 14 regional offices.
Providing content subscription services, Service Delivery Platform (SDP), digital vouchers, e-commerce platforms, and mobile applications for all ages, Forest Interactive operates in 25+ countries, serving 90+ mobile operators and 100+ content partners, with the capacity to reach over one billion customers worldwide. Visit forest-interactive.com for more information.
