Denpasar — Udayana University (Unud) is reinforcing its role in supporting the preparation and protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) through a partnership with the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI). This strengthened collaboration was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KP2MI and Udayana University, alongside plans to establish the Udayana University Migrant Center (MCU), on Friday (October 2).
The MoU was signed by the Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers/Head of BP2MI, Mukhtarudin, and the Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana. The partnership encompasses education and human resource competency development, research, development and innovation, community service, and other mutually agreed-upon forms of cooperation.
Udayana University Rector Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana stated that the Udayana University Migrant Center would serve as a coordination hub, integrating the capabilities of academic study programs, vocational training institutions (LPK), the government, and the business sector. This integration aims to support the competency enhancement, readiness, and protection of prospective Indonesian migrant workers.
“Through the Migrant Center, we hope to integrate the potential of study programs, vocational training institutions, the government, and the business sector to support the competency enhancement, readiness, and protection of prospective Indonesian migrant workers,” the Rector said.
The MCU is also designed to function as a one-stop service for both prospective and current Indonesian migrant workers. These services will cover various aspects, ranging from pre-employment preparation, understanding placement procedures, and financial literacy to health screenings and mental health support. To support the preparation of prospective migrant workers, Udayana University possesses academic resources that can be optimized—notably through language competency strengthening supported by the University’s Language Center and study programs with expertise in English, French, Japanese, and Mandarin. The Udayana University Language Laboratory has also established a partnership with HSK Mandarin to support Mandarin language proficiency certification for prospective workers heading to various Asian countries. This initiative serves to strengthen the readiness of prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), ensuring they possess competencies aligned with the demands of the international labor market.
The Rector of Udayana University emphasized that the implementation of this partnership must be oriented toward tangible benefits for the community.
“The success of a partnership is not measured by the number of documents signed, but by the tangible benefits generated for the community,” the Rector stated.
The Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers/Head of BP2MI, Mukhtarudin, noted that the involvement of higher education institutions is crucial in building an ecosystem for the preparation and protection of Indonesian migrant workers, spanning from the initial stages to the final placement. He observed that universities possess academic resources that can be developed to enhance the quality of prospective migrant workers.
“This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening the role of universities in supporting the protection of Indonesian migrant workers, particularly through education, competency enhancement, research, innovation, and community service,” said Mukhtarudin.
He added that the preparation of prospective migrant workers requires a comprehensive approach, including the enhancement of competencies and skills that align with global labor market needs.
“Prospective Indonesian migrant workers need to be equipped with the necessary competencies, an understanding of placement procedures, and the ability to work through legal, safe, and protected channels. Therefore, synergy with universities is vital to strengthening the quality of the human resources entering the international labor market,” he explained.
The partnership between Udayana University and BP2MI is expected to be followed up with various concrete programs that provide direct benefits to the community. The establishment of the Migrant Center is part of Udayana University’s efforts to leverage its academic resources, institutional networks, and multidisciplinary expertise to support the readiness of Indonesian talent in seizing international employment opportunities.