UOB partners edtech player to teach digital skills to 90,000 Indonesian students

UOB has partnered with Indonesian edtech platform Ruangguru to give 90,000 students in the archipelago access to digital learning tools and future-ready skills.

The five-year initiative, part of the UOB My Digital Space programme, will reach students in 500 schools in all 38 Indonesian provinces each year, with tools and a curriculum to build critical and computational thinking.

The bank said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 20) that it aims to train these students in the core competencies necessary to thrive in a world driven by artificial intelligence.

The partnership also aims to address Indonesia’s digital literacy gap.

The Indonesian Digital Society Index has pegged the country’s digital literacy score in 2024 at 43.34 per cent, slightly higher than 2023’s 43.18 per cent. UOB said this highlights the ongoing need to enhance digital capabilities among the country’s people.

Hendra Gunawan, president-director of UOB Indonesia, said the initiative is aligned with the Indonesian government’s national development goals, known as the Asta Cita vision.

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“Building strong foundations in education is key to unlocking national potential,” he said. “We are pleased to partner with Ruangguru to empower 90,000 students with the tools and skills to shape a better future.”

Belva Devara, chief executive of Ruangguru, said: “By combining Ruangguru’s innovative technology with UOB’s dedication to community development, we are helping students unlock their full potential and become future-ready.”

The launch of the programme in Jakarta on Wednesday was attended by senior government officials, including Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Dr Pratikno.

The programme is part of a broader drive by UOB – which turns 90 this year – to support the education of children and students in South-east Asia.

The bank has pledged to support 250,000 students and children in the region over the next five years. With government matching grants, these regional programmes are projected to deliver a total impact worth S$120 million.

UOB’s My Digital Space programme, launched in 2020, has already reached more than 38,000 students in seven South-east Asian markets.