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UPH Unveils Cutting-Edge AI Faculty to Nurture Future AI Leaders

Tangerang, March 14, 2025 – The development of education in Indonesia to produce top talents that will contribute to Indonesia Emas (Indonesia’s Golden Age) is of the utmost importance for Universitas Pelita Harapan.  In line with this drive, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) has launched its new Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (AI), signaling a major push to advance education and develop top-tier human resources for Indonesia’s future. The launch, themed “Towards the Era of Deep Learning,” underscores UPH's commitment to producing AI industry leaders.

The momentous event, held at the Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry (Kemendikdasmen) in Jakarta, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony by prominent educational leaders including Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, MEd; Lippo Group founder Dr. Mochtar Riady; Pelita Harapan Education Foundation founder Dr. (H.C.) James Riady; UPH Rector Dr. (Hon.) Jonathan L. Parapak, MEngSc; UPH President  Dr. Stephanie Riady, BA, MEd; Zhejiang University (ZJU) representative Prof. Wang Bin; and UPH Vice Rector of External Affairs Dr. Jerry A.K. Sambuaga, BA, MIA.

In his address, Minister Abdul Mu’ti emphasized the strategic importance of the Artificial Intelligence Faculty at UPH in preparing Indonesia's youth for the “Golden Generation 2045.”

“We congratulate UPH for opening the AI Faculty and appreciate the scholarship program for Indonesia’s young talents,” he said, highlighting the potential for accelerated digital education. Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Brian Yuliarto, ST, MEng, PhD echoed this sentiment in a video message, praising UPH's “visionary” step toward preparing students for Society 5.0 and the ethical application of AI.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mochtar Riady stressed the critical role of AI in Indonesia's future competitiveness, advocating for strategic international collaborations. “AI is one of the most important technologies of our time which is why education in this field is a must.  This includes strategic alliances with partners from China that will bring adoption and optimum technology development," he noted during his speech.

Furthermore, Jonathan Parapak reiterated the university's commitment to technological advancement and producing graduates who can positively impact the nation. “The Faculty of AI is a manifestation of UPH's commitment to responding to technological developments and preparing a generation that is ready to face challenges in the digital era,” he said.

Producing AI-savvy graduates

UPH's AI Faculty aims to deliver transformative education, keeping pace with cutting-edge technology while upholding the university's core values of “True Knowledge, Faith in Christ, and Godly Character”.

UPH's AI Faculty Dean Dr. Rizaldi Sistiabudi, BSc.Eng, M.S.E emphasized the program's focus on producing AI professionals with both technical prowess and ethical integrity. “Our goal is to create AI experts who are not only technically proficient but also possess a strong sense of responsibility,” he stated, highlighting the program's commitment to societal transformation.

"Students will learn to navigate the ethical complexities of AI, including issues such as algorithm bias and data security," he explained. "This comprehensive approach ensures our graduates are well-equipped to make informed, ethical decisions that positively impact society."

Curriculum, Lecturers & International Partnerships

UPH’s AI Faculty offers an international-caliber curriculum, focusing on cutting-edge fields like Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Large Language Model, and Ethical AI. By employing the Practice-Centered Learning (PCL) approach, it seeks to ensure that students can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world case studies and industry projects.

To deliver top-tier AI education, UPH has forged strategic partnerships with MetaCarbon, a leading AI technology company and within the Lippo Group (including Nobu Bank, Siloam Hospitals, and Multipolar), and Zhejiang University in China. These collaborations provide students with internship opportunities, industry-aligned projects, and exposure international research programs, so that they will be well prepared to answer the future challenge of the job market.

Beyond the curriculum, students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including a high-tech AI laboratory, cloud computing services, and access to resources from Wiley Publisher and the edX platform. Instruction at UPH Faculty of AI is delivered in English, enhancing students’ global communication skills and preparing them for multicultural environments.

Guaranteed Career Development

UPH’s AI Faculty leverages strategic partnerships to offer strong career prospects for its graduates. The program integrates internship-based learning, providing students with valuable industry experience.

For students with a passion for research, the faculty offers opportunities to participate in research projects, enhancing their academic knowledge and research skills in preparation for a research or academic career. This focus underscores UPH's dedication to ensure that graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce, have a growth mindset and will contribute sustainably in the future.

Graduates of this cutting-edge program are well-positioned for diverse career paths across finance, healthcare, retail, and global technology sectors. They can pursue in-demand roles such as AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Developer, AI Analyst, AI Research Scientist, and AI Ethics Specialist.

Opportunity to enrol with Financial Aid and Scholarship

UPH’s AI Faculty is committed to accessible, high-quality education by offering various scholarship programs to cultivate promising young talent and drive national progress through AI technology.

To mark the faculty's launch, UPH, represented by its Rector Jonathan Parapak, symbolically handed over the Nusantara AI Scholarship to Kemendikdasmen, represented by Early Childhood Education Director General Gogot Suharwoto, SPd, MEd, PhD.

This initiative reinforces UPH's dedication to expanding educational access, empowering the next generation to excel in artificial intelligence, and preparing them to lead in the digital age.

Introduction to AI seminar for Senior High School Students

As part of its commitment to AI education, UPH hosted an “Exclusive Insight into UPH's AI Program” seminar on February 19, 2025, at its Lippo Village campus. The event drew over 700 senior high school students and educators, offering a glimpse into AI development and career opportunities.

At this event, Dr. Stephanie Riady, B.A. M.Ed., underscored the importance of early AI literacy in navigating digital transformation.

“In the face of rapid technological advancement, AI is the cornerstone of digital transformation across sectors," she said. "Mastery of this technology is crucial for the next generation to tackle future challenges and seize opportunities.”

During the main session, Dr. Rizaldi Sistiabudi traced AI's evolution from a simple assistive tool to a potential decision-making force. He highlighted how NVIDIA's GPUs have enabled large-scale data processing, paving the way for Large Language Models (LLMs) that are revolutionizing human-machine interaction.

He outlined three key stages of AI development: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), AI as a task-specific assistant; Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), AI capable of collaborative decision-making; and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), AI with the potential to reshape the global workforce.

"AI is not just a tool; it's the future that will determine who leads and who is left behind," he stressed.

Cultivating Integrity-Driven Leaders in the Era of AI

UPH’s AI Faculty positions itself as a premier AI education hub in Indonesia, dedicated to producing graduates equipped to contribute to the rapidly evolving digital industry. Through practice-based learning, cutting-edge research, and partnerships with global industry leaders, the faculty ensures students develop market-relevant competencies.

The AI Faculty launch reinforces UPH's commitment to cultivating future leaders who possess both technological prowess and strong ethical foundations rooted in Christian values. The program extends beyond technical skill development, emphasizing character building, leadership, and academic excellence. This holistic approach empowers UPH graduates to make a positive impact on society, the nation, and the world.

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About Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH)

• Established in 1994, UPH is guided by a clear vision to be a university centered on Christ, built and developed upon the foundation of True Knowledge, Faith in Christ, and Godly Character. The university stays true to its commitment of contributing to Indonesia by providing superior, holistic, and transformative higher, with the objective of developing God-fearing, competent and professional future leaders.
• UPH is a Christian university committed to delivering high-quality, world-class education. The university has attained the EXCELLENT accreditation status.
• Through its comprehensive suite of undergraduate and postgraduate (S2 and S3) programs, UPH has produced a network of over 53,000 alumni, contributing significantly to diverse industrial sectors both domestically and internationally. 
• The university offers more than 60 programs across various disciplines, employing an industry-relevant and research-intensive pedagogical approach.
• It boasts extensive collaborations and partnerships with over 100 renowned universities and institutions both at home and abroad.

About Zhejiang University (ZJU)

• • Zhejiang University (ZJU) is a preeminent institution of higher learning in China, consistently ranked within the Top 50 of the QS World University Rankings 2025.
  • Established in 1897, it is recognized as a leading hub for advanced technological research and innovation, driving advancements across multiple sectors.
  • ZJU is home to over 50,000 students and boasts a globally influential alumni network, with notable figures such as Liang Wenfeng, founder and CEO of DeepSeek, a leading Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company.
  • ZJU fosters strategic collaborations with industry-leading technology corporations, including Alibaba, Huawei, and Tencent, to advance research and development in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and emerging technologies.
  • ZJU possesses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence laboratory facilities and spearheads leading research initiatives in the domains of Machine Learning, Data Science, and Robotics.

About MetaCarbon

• MetaCarbon specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, focusing on sustainability and industrial efficiency optimization.
• The organization distinguishes itself through its proprietary AI-driven carbon footprint tracking technology, enabling clients to enhance environmental impact management and reduction strategies.
• Leveraging a global network and strategic industry alliances, MetaCarbon offers a compelling career opportunity for AI professionals seeking to contribute to technology-driven innovation.
• MetaCarbon engages in collaborative initiatives with UPH, facilitating AI research and industry internship programs to cultivate student development in advanced technological applications.

To learn more about UPH’s Faculty of AI, please visit UPH’s official website by clicking on the link below:

Informasi Seputar Faculty of AI UPH

Corporate Communication UPH

Meishiana Tirtana

Meishiana.tirtana@uph.edu | 0899-9972-409