MAKASSAR – Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) are strengthening their collaboration to support digital learning and students’ readiness to enter the workforce. The partnership was marked by the signing of an independent study program for Unhas students, held together with a Career Talk titled “Technology Keeps Growing, What Career Path Should We Take?”
The collaboration includes connectivity support through a special data package for accessing campus learning applications, as well as a virtual internship program known as VirtuShip. The program gives Unhas students the opportunity to gain work experience at Telkomsel online.
Unhas Director of Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Ir. Suhasman, S.Hut., M.Si., IPM., welcomed the partnership. Prof. Suhasman said Telkomsel is a career destination for many university graduates, so the collaboration opens access for students to understand the world of work and developments in the digital industry.
“Remote work trends are growing now and will keep growing, especially led by digital companies. So we need to adapt and learn about it,” Prof. Suhasman said.
S. Handoyo Hadi, General Manager of Health Care and Education Account Management at Telkomsel, said the partnership is part of efforts to build a digital education ecosystem. Telkomsel’s support is not limited to connectivity but also covers learning and the development of students’ competencies, including plans to develop AI learning content as well as health and mental health consultation services.
“We are committed to providing the best service, ensuring connectivity, and supporting the teaching and learning process. Going forward, we are also building AI learning content. AI is no longer something optional; it has become mandatory,” Handoyo explained.
Through VirtuShip, students receive expert-verified internship materials, experience working on real use cases and Telkomsel projects, and access to a talent pool. The program can also be converted into a Competency Strengthening Course (MKPK) worth more than three credits (SKS) in accordance with the regulations.
“With the virtual internship, we want to ensure that Unhas students have the same opportunity to gain internship experience at Telkomsel online,” Handoyo said.
The Career Talk featured Dudun Abdul Falah Sidiq, Vice President of People Development and Management at Telkomsel; Prof. Suhasman; and Andi Alya Inar Putri, an Unhas student who won the Best Hustler title at Telkomsel’s IndonesiaNEXT 2026 out of about 8,000 participants.
Dudun emphasized that the development of AI is changing the needs of professions and giving rise to increasingly specific roles, such as AI engineers and AI platform roles. Prof. Suhasman added that Unhas is preparing an institute focused on AI.
“AI offers a million conveniences. We are still adapting, but technological progress cannot be refused. So we must respond to it wisely,” Prof. Suhasman said.
Andi Alya Inar Putri stressed that the workplace needs more than a GPA. “The workplace cannot rely on GPA alone. What is also needed is the ability to solve real problems in the field and critical thinking,” Alya said.
The partnership strengthens the efforts of Unhas and Telkomsel to expand access to digital learning, industry experience, and the development of student competencies amid technological change. (/kmhs/rmdh)*
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.