vivo Indonesia is turning a scholarship program into part of a broader response to the country’s digital talent shortage. Through vivo NexGen Scholars, the company is linking university access with the skills pipeline needed by a technology industry that continues to expand.
The program starts with 60 full scholarships for selected students and is carried out with Hoshizora Foundation and PENS. It is designed to support students admitted through SNBP and SNBT at Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya, while focusing on study paths tied closely to digital industry needs.
That direction matters because Indonesia still faces a large gap in digital talent supply. The government has projected a need for around 9 million digital talents by 2030, while current availability remains at about 6 million.
Targeting fields that match industry demand
Rather than spreading support broadly, vivo NexGen Scholars is centered on six areas of study that are considered strategic for digital talent development. The fields include Informatics Engineering, Applied Data Science, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Industrial Electrical Engineering, and Game Technology.
This selection shows that the scholarship is not meant to function as ordinary tuition assistance. It is built to align academic preparation with technical competencies that are relevant to the fast-changing technology sector.
The program’s structure also reflects a wider effort to connect education and employment more closely. For students, that means the scholarship is not only about entering campus, but also about improving the chance of entering the workforce with skills that fit market demand.
Academic support beyond tuition
vivo Indonesia’s Public Relations Director, Arga Simanjuntak, described the initiative as part of the company’s long-term commitment. The company’s focus is not limited to covering study costs, but also to strengthening the pathway for future human resources in the technology sector.
That approach is important in a context where vocational graduate unemployment and skills gaps remain persistent issues. When education tracks are more closely matched to industry needs, the transition from classroom to workplace becomes more relevant.
Hoshizora Foundation said the early impact of the program is already visible in student access and capacity building. Its Executive Director, Yudi Anwar, noted that scholarship recipients have shown strong academic performance alongside broader campus involvement.
The average early-semester GPA among recipients reached 3.41, with the highest recorded at 3.9. Outside the classroom, the students have also been active in organizations and competitions, suggesting that the support extends beyond financial relief.
Why the model matters now
The collaboration among vivo, Hoshizora Foundation, and PENS highlights a model based on ecosystem support rather than a single-institution effort. In a digital transformation that continues to move quickly, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between higher education and the needs of industry.
That kind of linkage is increasingly relevant as Indonesia works to close its talent shortage. A scholarship program focused on technology-related fields can help expand access to education while also strengthening the pool of graduates prepared for digital-era jobs.
With 60 full scholarships already in place, vivo NexGen Scholars positions itself as more than a social initiative. It is also a practical step toward building a generation of students with stronger access to education and a clearer path into the technology sector.
