Wahid’s Career Thrives in Manufacturing Sector

Since high school, Muhammad Wahid Faturahman, familiarly called Wahid, has had a strong interest in the world of machinery. He continued to pursue this passion by studying Mechanical Engineering at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS).

Wahid was fortunate to have taken part in a double degree program, which gave him the opportunity to study mechanical engineering at Dong-Eui University in South Korea. The country is known as a technological powerhouse with a strong manufacturing sector.

It’s no surprise, then, that South Korea’s technological advancement has attracted global collaboration, including with Indonesia. In 2021, South Korean automotive company Hyundai opened a manufacturing plant in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java.

Wahid, who had graduated by that time, saw the opening of the factory as a major opportunity. With his academic background and proficiency in Korean, he applied for a position at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (HMMI). His efforts paid off, he was hired as a body process engineer.

As a body process engineer, Wahid is responsible for overseeing the manufacturing of vehicle bodies. His main tasks include welding quality analysis, preparing new model development, implementing new technology into manufacturing processes, and improving production efficiency.

“I also make sure that every stage in the body process, from start to finish, is running well,” Wahid said in a virtual interview in late June.

Wahid is in charge of translating vehicle designs developed in Korea into finished car products. Given the complexity of his role, then, he often faces various challenges in his profession.

The rapid advancement of technology is one of the main challenges for those working in the manufacturing industry. Wahid must devise strategies to keep up with these developments. “So that we remain agile in order to stay ahead of competitors,” he added.

Working at a South Korean automotive company has taught Wahid the importance of global work processes. HMMI is about more than just making cars, its production chain is deeply connected to a global work culture that upholds safety, quality, and integrity.

Wahid believed that in a fast-paced industry, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability are key to survival. These traits must be accompanied by a spirit of continuous growth, innovation, and the ability to view obstacles as opportunities to develop.

“Every process is carried out to the highest standard, because we believe the best vehicles can only be produced through precision and responsibility,” he said.

Wahid’s dedication to manufacturing has not gone unnoticed by HMMI. In 2024, he received four awards from the company. He was honored with the Best Energy Committee award for his success in implementing energy-saving measures.

Another award, Best Energy Department, recognized his contributions to energy-saving initiatives within the body department. Wahid and his department also received two additional honors: third place for employee suggestions and first place for departmental proposals.

“For me, working at HMMI is not just about building a career, but also about shaping a character of discipline, resilience, and adaptability. It’s a valuable experience that I’ll carry into the future,” he emphasized.

Muhammad Wahid Faturahman receiving the HMMI Employee Recognition 2024 award alongside HMMI President Director Lee Bong Kyu, at the HMMI office, January 2025. 

Born in Madiun, East Java, on June 6, 1997, Muhamad Wahid Faturahman never imagined he would one day pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. During his elementary to high school years, Wahid was passionate about music. “You know, typical youth stuff, joining band competitions and all that,” he joked.

His inspiration to enter the world of mechanical engineering actually came from his father, a mining drill technician. As the eldest of two siblings, Wahid saw how exciting and fitting the field seemed for him. “I thought, this looks fun, this could be an interesting college experience,” he recalled.

Wahid didn’t lose heart after being rejected by a public university. Instead, he looked for alternative opportunities and saw promise in Mechanical Engineering at UMS, especially since the program offered a double degree pathway with several universities abroad. In 2015, Wahid began his academic journey at UMS.

At the time, the partner university for the double degree was Dong-Eui University in Busan, South Korea. In 2017, Wahid flew to South Korea to begin his studies there.

Wahid spent only two years studying in Indonesia and three years in South Korea, including one year dedicated solely to learning the Korean language.

Language posed a major challenge for him in the double degree program, especially since he had never studied Korean before. The Hangul script was completely foreign to him. “When I arrived at Incheon Airport, I couldn’t read anything. Literally nothing,” he recalled.

Fortunately, Wahid didn’t go alone. He traveled with other UMS students, some of whom already understood Korean. During his studies, Wahid lived with an Indonesian host family in Korea.

To improve his language skills, Wahid pushed himself to interact with local residents. He even took a part-time job as a customer service officer at a private Korean bank. As a result, his Korean improved rapidly.

His study experience in South Korea left a lasting impression. It was clear to him that the country’s technological advancement is rooted in its education system. He experienced firsthand the comprehensive facilities and support available to students.

For example, they had access to as many as 20 units of 3D printing machines. “You didn’t have to wait long. It allowed us to explore ideas faster and in more detail,” he explained.

South Korea’s progress in education and technology also seems to have fueled a strong sense of nationalism. Wahid often heard professors proudly refer to Korea as “uri nara,” meaning “our country,” whenever they introduced new Korean technologies.

Now, after graduating from Dong-Eui University, Wahid still actively uses the Korean language. “I also work as a Korean translator, so I often handle documents that need to be translated and communicated in a way that local staff can understand,” he said.

Read more: What is Double Degree Overview and Benefits

After four years in the manufacturing industry, Wahid has come to realize the importance of adapting to the digital world. This ability to adapt, he believed, should be nurtured early on, especially as students transition into a work environment that doesn’t always align perfectly with academic theory.

“Not everything we absorb during lectures can be applied 100 percent in the real world. It doesn’t work like that in manufacturing,” he emphasized.

The manufacturing industry is highly dynamic due to rapid technological transformation. At the same time, critical thinking skills must be prioritized, as problems encountered in the workplace are often nonlinear and multifaceted.

He urged students to develop a strong work ethic. At the same time, they must learn to be sincere when facing challenges. Wahid speaks from experience. He believes that when you approach problems with sincerity, new opportunities begin to open up. “Sincerity is the foundation,” he concluded.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva