Google Reaffirms Long-term Commitment to Education in Indonesia

Google continues to reaffirm its commitment to education and digital transformation in Indonesia through a strategic partnership that has lasted over a decade. The company is committed to providing high-quality and cost-effective technology for students and teachers across the country, accelerating the integration of technology into the learning process.

According to Google’s official statement, these efforts are based on the belief that education is key to building a strong and inclusive digital future in Indonesia. Google’s long-term commitment involves sustainable approaches, including various training programs, digital tools, and collaboration with government and industry.

One of the key technologies Google relies on to support digital education in Indonesia is the Chromebook, a ChromeOS-based device designed specifically for the needs of students and educators. With millions of educators and students across Indonesia using Chromebooks from Sabang to Merauke, these devices have proven valuable even in remote areas with challenging internet connectivity.

Chromebooks can function without an internet connection or offline, allowing students to create documents and manage files even without internet access. This feature is particularly important for areas with unstable networks.

Google explains that its role in the Chromebook ecosystem is not as a hardware manufacturer or price setter. The company is responsible only for developing and licensing the ChromeOS and device management tools to partners.

The procurement of Chromebook hardware in Indonesia is carried out by independent Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and local partners, ensuring competitiveness and transparency. This approach ensures that the procurement of Chromebooks by the government or educational institutions is fully controlled.

Besides, the approach also aims to ensure that the price and quality of devices are determined through healthy and open market mechanisms. To support the wide use of Chromebooks in educational institutions, Google provides Chrome Education Upgrade (CEU), formerly known as Chrome Device Management.

CEU is a global management infrastructure used to protect public education assets. With CEU, schools and governments can centrally manage devices, filter negative content, and lock devices if lost. This feature is crucial to ensuring long-term investments remain safe, productive, and compliant with national education policies.

Google emphasizes that its support for Indonesian education is not just a short-term commercial partnership. Google’s support is part of a long-term commitment that has existed before any specific device procurement decisions.

Since November 2019, the ‘Bangkit’ program has trained over 25,000 Indonesian students in essential technological skills, offering career opportunities through a network of local startups. This program has received a teacher training grant worth USD 1 million from Google.org, part of Google’s philanthropic commitment.

Additionally, Google has been training Indonesian communities in various digital skills for nearly 15 years, supporting MSMEs, job seekers, developers, and teachers to prepare for digital educational challenges. Joint efforts with the Ministry of Education and local educational departments have led to significant training initiatives in recent years.

Google asserts that all its support and collaboration with Indonesian educational institutions is conducted with high transparency and integrity. The company rejects any unethical practices, including providing incentives to education officials for product adoption.

Google assures that its investments in the Indonesian digital ecosystem, including through previously part of an initial investment entity like a local ride-hailing startup, are unrelated to formal educational programs and collaborations with the government.