by : Khansa Khalisha
(Head of Education GIK UGM)
How do we stay hopeful amid this constant flux of the global landscape? As the world strives to maintain equilibrium in the supply and demand of adequate workforce that are competing with technological advancements in producing quality goods and services, we recognize the urgency to cultivate a future-ready workforce capable of tackling these challenges. The key lies in fostering a balance through education.
International organizations like OECD and UNESCO recognize the imperative need for a reskilling revolution, deeming it “the future of education and skills education.” According to a Harvard Business Review, chronic shortages of workers stem from the struggle to produce graduates ready for the workforce – a symptom of an inadequate education system.
Picture this: the future we envision, often referred to as the “golden generation,” is merely 21 years away. Everything hinges on education, serving as the cornerstone for building the foundation of this ideal future. It extends beyond the commemoration of a day adorned with a title and a graduation hat.
Education empowers learners, providing them with agency, purpose, and the essential competencies to not only shape their own lives but also contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.
Each individual possesses innate potential waiting to be tapped into, given the right opportunity and support system provided by education and society. Competence gained through education becomes the toolkit that enables individuals to reach their desired goals. Think of school as a playground for trial and error. Before entering the workforce, students explore a variety of subjects, while in college, they’re encouraged to choose a specific faculty to narrow their focus. However, midway through, the desire to pivot and try something new may arise, leading to the realm of informal learning.
Enter Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas, or known as GIK, a supercreative hub bridging the gap between industry and academia. GIK’s vision? To cultivate lifelong learners. Acting as a melting pot for innovation, GIK aims to prepare a future-ready workforce by imparting students with the necessary skills and mentorship. In essence, it’s the antidote to the shortcomings in our current education system, offering a dynamic space where creativity, industry, and education converge to shape the golden generation we dream of. As we celebrate International Education Day today, let’s deeply reflect on the significance that the students currently navigating academia hold the reins to our future. The transformative power lies within each of us. Embrace the opportunity to engage in GIK’s classes and activities, where innovation is nurtured for tomorrow’s challenges. Going back, we stay hopeful in this flux by firstly understanding that we are the architects of change. The future is shaped by those who act now.