UNU Jogja Equips 2023 Cohort Students for the Workforce Through the Impact-Oriented Social Laboratory 2026

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), through its Directorate of Community Engagement and Social Laboratory (Labsos) in collaboration with the Directorate of Student Affairs and Employability, organized the 2026 Social Laboratory (Labsos) Roadshow and Orientation for students from the 2023 cohort at The Forum UNU Jogja on Wednesday, August 5. The event served as an initial preparation for seventh-semester students before participating in the Social Laboratory program under the Community Development/Research and Development and Internship schemes.

The orientation was attended by students from various study programs who will participate in Labsos during the 2026/2027 academic year. In addition to introducing the program's implementation mechanism, the session provided an overview of the expected learning outcomes, career development opportunities, and UNU Jogja's extensive partnership network, which includes NU-affiliated organizations, educational institutions and Islamic boarding schools, government agencies, industries, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community organizations.

Rinanti Nur Hapsari, Director of Student Affairs and Employability at UNU Jogja, explained that the Social Laboratory was designed to bridge academic learning with the demands of the professional world. According to her, students will gain not only professional experience but also valuable networking opportunities with institutions that may become future employers.

"Through the Social Laboratory, students are expected to gain learning experiences that are relevant to the needs of today's workforce. We want them to do more than simply complete an internship—they should also develop professional competencies, expand their professional networks, and open up career opportunities through our institutional partners," she said.

Rinanti further explained that upon completing their internships, students are required to submit a final report, maintain a certified activity logbook, update their records in the University's Academic Information System (SIAKAD), and complete the credit conversion process. Students will also receive an internship certificate that can strengthen their professional portfolio when applying for jobs.

She emphasized that the Social Laboratory has four primary objectives: enhancing students' professional skills through real-world work experience, increasing student and industry partner satisfaction with the program, strengthening graduates' readiness to enter the workforce, and fostering sustainable partnerships between UNU Jogja and its partner institutions.

Meanwhile, Joko Susilo, Director of Community Engagement and Social Laboratory, explained that this year's Labsos adopts the Living Labs approach—an open innovation ecosystem that integrates learning, research, and innovation within real community settings. He also introduced several new initiatives, including a bootcamp scheduled for September 2026 to prepare students before they begin their internship placements.

During the bootcamp, students will receive intensive training in design thinking, problem mapping, community needs assessment, solution development, and innovation aimed at creating meaningful social impact. The program is expected to encourage students to develop innovative ideas and broaden their social engagement in addressing real challenges within society.

In addition to the bootcamp, the Social Laboratory program will conclude with the Labsos Expo, where students will showcase the outcomes of their projects. Throughout the program, each student group will receive guidance from academic supervisors and professional practitioners serving as facilitators.

The orientation also introduced students to the institutions that have partnered with UNU Jogja's Social Laboratory. These partners represent a wide range of sectors, including information technology, education, mass media, Islamic banking, healthcare, tourism, non-profit organizations, government, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

The partnership network includes local, national, and multinational organizations such as Playbook Technologies Pte Ltd, PT STAR Software Indonesia, Hoshizora Foundation, Tribun Jogja, PT Bank BTPN Syariah Tbk, PT Navil Natural, PT Mazaraat, Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul, Yayasan Keadilan dan Perdamaian Indonesia, LazisNU Sleman, Pondok Pesantren Afkaruna, the Yogyakarta City Government, Ngaji AI/Novo Indonesia Belajar, Travelxism, the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the Regional Library and Archives Office (DPAD DIY), Agresena Bumi Lestari, and Kampung Inggris Jogja. This diverse partnership ecosystem enables students to choose internship placements that align with their academic backgrounds and career aspirations.

Through the Social Laboratory, UNU Jogja continues to strengthen its experiential learning model by implementing the Living Lab approach, connecting academia with industry, civil society organizations, government institutions, and local communities. As a university committed to producing competent, adaptive, and socially responsible graduates, UNU Jogja expects the program to enhance students' competencies, expand their professional networks, and increase their employability while empowering them to become innovators who create meaningful impacts for society. [Latifah]