Tracer Study and Alumni Gathering Strengthen Professional Networks and Advance Graduate Competencies
Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) has once again demonstrated its commitment to educational quality and alumni engagement through a series of tracer study visits and alumni gatherings held from May 14–16, 2025, in Bandung and Jakarta. These warm and engaging events not only fostered closer ties among alumni but also served as a strategic platform for gathering feedback from employers to improve academic curricula and enhance student soft skills in line with the evolving needs of industry and institutions.
The alumni gatherings, held at Kimaya Braga Bandung and Cascade Kofy Jakarta, brought together graduates from various cohorts and faculties. Attendees shared their professional journeys and career insights post-graduation. More than a reunion, these gatherings offered an opportunity to exchange perspectives on workplace challenges and opportunities, while strengthening relationships that can yield personal and professional growth.
This sense of community helped nurture a spirit of collaboration that supports both campus development and the broader alumni network. Through these dynamic interactions, participants expanded their professional networks and explored potential collaborations with fellow alumni and partner institutions. The initiative reflects UKDW’s strategy to build a vibrant, engaged alumni community capable of contributing meaningfully to the university’s growth and to society at large.
In addition to the alumni gatherings, UKDW’s tracer study team conducted on-site visits to various employer partners. In Bandung, the team met with several key organizations employing UKDW graduates. Notable among them was Grab Indonesia, a collaborator with the Faculty of Business, showcasing alumni success in the digital transport and tech sector. The team also visited SMAK 2 BPK PENABUR, linked to the Faculty of Biotechnology, affirming UKDW’s support for educational institutions employing science graduates. GKJ Bandung, with close ties to the Faculty of Theology, was also on the itinerary, reflecting collaboration in the field of religious service.
The team continued their visits with a stop at Retro Architecture and Interior, representing the Faculty of Architecture and Design, which has provided alumni with opportunities in spatial and aesthetic design. Meanwhile, representatives from the Faculty of Information Technology visited PT Hartadinata Abadi, Tbk. Across these visits, partners warmly welcomed the UKDW team and offered constructive evaluations of alumni performance, along with input for refining curricula and strengthening soft skill training to ensure graduates are well-prepared for today’s fast-changing job landscape.
In Jakarta, the tracer study visits were even more intensive, involving a broad range of partners from different sectors. One key stop was the public accounting firm KAP HLB Hadori Sugiarto Adi & Partners, a major partner of the Faculty of Business, which provided insights into careers in finance and audit services.
The Business Faculty team also visited CNBC Indonesia, gaining perspective on alumni roles in media and communications. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Education and Humanities team visited institutions such as English 1 Cempaka Putih and SMP Kemurnian II Jakarta to observe alumni contributions in the education sector.
Other stops included SMAK 6 Penabur Jakarta, a partner of the Faculty of Theology, highlighting alumni involvement in faith-based education and development. In architecture and design, visits to PT First Solution Indonesia and Cats Project illustrated alumni contributions to infrastructure and design innovation.
The Faculty of Information Technology’s presence was marked by a visit to PT Softorb Technology Indonesia, underlining alumni roles in digital development and tech solutions. Finally, the team visited the Orang Tua Group, associated with the Faculty of Biotechnology, showcasing successful alumni in the manufacturing and consumer goods industry.
Throughout these visits, employer partners provided valuable insights that will inform program evaluation and academic development to better align graduate competencies with real-world demands. Feedback emphasized the growing importance of soft skills—such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability—in an increasingly globalized and digital job market. This input serves as a foundation for UKDW’s ongoing efforts to revise and enrich its curriculum, ensuring students are equipped not just academically, but also with the practical and interpersonal skills needed to thrive in their careers.
The tracer study and alumni gathering series reflects UKDW’s genuine commitment to sustained collaboration with industries and institutions that employ its graduates. These activities reinforce an active, well-connected alumni network and support the university’s ability to continuously innovate and adapt its academic offerings to meet market demands.
Ultimately, UKDW strives to produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also professionally skilled and character-driven—ready to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce. This initiative exemplifies UKDW’s vision of delivering adaptive, collaborative, and forward-looking education that empowers graduates to make meaningful contributions to the nation and society. [vio/trans.drr]
