Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Communication and Information (Kominfo) Ministry expressed its readiness to help Islamic school students, or santris, become digital entrepreneurs so that they can contribute to the growth of national digital economy.

In that context, Deputy Minister of Kominfo, Nezar Patria, urged santris in Indonesia to actively participate in the ministry's programs that are aimed at building people's capacity to participate in the digital economy.

"I hope that santris can actively participate in the existing programs. The Kominfo Ministry will support them," he assured in Indramayu, West Java, according to a press release received in Jakarta on Saturday.

According to Patria, the ministry has devised and implemented several programs, such as literacy digital classes, to improve people's digital skills.

He explained that the classes have been devised for all elements of society, including students, communities, academics, as well as business and government leaders.

As many as 50 million people have actively taken part in the ministry's digital literacy programs, he noted.

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The deputy minister cited the example of the ministry's Digital Talent Scholarship (DTS) program as one of the most popular digital literacy programs.

"So, the Kominfo Ministry has prepared special scholarships for those seeking to seriously learn about the internet, digital world, digital business, digital marketing, and other digital skills. We already have the programs," he elaborated.

Patria also spoke about the 1000 Digital Startups program, another initiative from the ministry to help Indonesian entrepreneurs survive and optimize the digital era.

He noted that through the program, the ministry has managed to develop a number of startups, including those utilizing the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, Patria highlighted that the government has been persistent in developing more digital infrastructure, while calling on santris to make the most of the infrastructure in the digital era.

"I believe that a plethora of santris have very reliable capabilities of using digital technology. By being connected to the internet, they have their own skills," he observed.

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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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