Deputy Minister Urges Indonesian Students to Prepare for the Green Jobs Era

Indonesia’s university students should prepare now for work in a greener economy, Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Stella Christie said.

Christie said green jobs require strong cognitive abilities, formal education and technical skills. She urged universities to help students adapt quickly by making research thinking a foundation of learning.

That approach does not mean every student must become a researcher, Christie said. “Having a research mindset does not mean you will become a researcher. It means being able to ask the right questions and answer them systematically using data and logic.”

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Having a research mindset does not mean you will become a researcher. It means being able to ask the right questions and answer them systematically using data and logic.

She called for greater exposure to opportunities in geothermal energy and natural hydrogen, which she identified as important areas for Indonesia’s younger generation. Christie also said the education ministry was open to working with industry on university courses, teaching methods and workshops.

Deputy Manpower Minister Afriansyah Noor said the expansion of green jobs would create new employment while also changing existing occupations. Potentially affected roles include electrical technicians, production operators, procurement staff, and occupational health and safety officers.

The Manpower Ministry has projected that Indonesia’s green economy could generate work for about 3.88 million people nationwide in 2026, based on its Employment Outlook 2026 data.

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Our doors at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology are wide open to create courses, teaching methods, and workshops at universities.