At a press conference in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, Polytechnic Director Zainal Arief said curriculum adjustments have been made since 2024 to align with government policies and regulations.
"The curriculum must be specific and aligned with BRIN's vision. We are focusing three study programs into six specializations relevant to the human resource needs of the power plant," Arief said.
The six specializations are nuclear energy generation and nuclear analysis (electromechanics), nuclear medical instrumentation and accelerator technology (instrumentation electronics), as well as nuclear fuel and radioisotope production technology, and radiopharmaceuticals (nuclear chemical technology).
Arief noted that the programs also support government initiatives on nuclear energy use for industry, agriculture, and medicine.
"Hopefully, with the new curriculum, by 2028, there will be graduates competent in the six specializations," he said.
Edy Giri Rachman Putra, BRIN's Deputy for Human Resources and Science and Technology, stressed that Indonesia has long prepared nuclear talent and is ready for the 2032 target.
He pointed to existing programs: nuclear engineering at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), nuclear physics at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and 40 years of training at Nuclear Polytechnic since its establishment in 1985.
While UGM and ITB produce nuclear scientists and engineers, Nuclear Polytechnic produces technologists competent in operating and maintaining facilities, Putra explained.
Indonesia's experience managing three nuclear reactors in Bandung, Serpong, and Yogyakarta serves as a foundation, he added, noting that commercial plant operations also require expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering, physics, and socio-economic fields for stakeholder engagement.
Each year, Indonesia produces at least 300 nuclear engineering graduates from UGM, ITB, and the Nuclear Polytechnic — sufficient to meet the workforce needs of future nuclear power plants, Putra said.
Related news: Indonesia moves closer to forming nuclear energy agency
Related news: Nuclear power plants integral to Indonesia's energy plans
Translator: Luqman Hakim, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
