Information Systems Program Shapes Future Digital Leaders

Information systems is one of the most in-demand majors among Indonesian students today. Graduates are sought after across the digital industry, in step with the rapid wave of digitalization that has swept through nearly every aspect of life over the past decade.

Information systems ranks as one of the most competitive majors after informatics engineering, with tight competition at a number of universities across Indonesia. 

That competition is driven by a 15 to 22 percent annual growth in technology sector jobs. In 2025 alone, the number of available jobs in the field reached 1.97 million.

Before choosing information systems as your major, it is worth getting to know what the field actually involves. Here is a closer look.

Information systems is a field that combines technology with management and business, turning data into useful information to support organizational decision-making.

Dr. Eng. Yusuf Sulistyo Nugroho, S.T., M.Eng., Head of the Information Systems Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), explained that the major gives students the opportunity to solve real organizational problems through programming and coding.

"Students do not only learn how to write programs or code. They also learn how technology is used to solve real problems faced by organizations and companies," Yusuf said on Tuesday (28/4/2026).

The Information Systems program at UMS focuses on system development through applications and websites, business needs analysis, data and database management, interface design, and the use of information technology within organizations.

Graduates earn the degree of Sarjana Komputer (S.Kom.), equivalent to a Bachelor of Computer Science. The program runs for approximately four years, or eight semesters.

UMS' Information Systems program sits within the Faculty of Communication and Informatics. Unlike informatics engineering, information system is designed to produce graduates who can bridge the gap between business stakeholders and IT professionals.

Information Systems Courses at UMS

So what will you actually study in UMS' Information Systems program? 

The curriculum blends programming fundamentals with business management. Students learn how to apply programming knowledge within the context of business operations. Key courses in the program include:

Systems Analysis and Design: Students learn how to analyze user needs and design appropriate systems using industry-standard visual modeling languages such as UML, workflow diagrams, and similar tools.

So what will you actually study in UMS' Information Systems program? 

The curriculum blends programming fundamentals with business management. Students learn how to apply programming knowledge within the context of business operations. Key courses in the program include:

1.  Systems Analysis and Design

Students learn how to analyze user needs and design appropriate systems using industry-standard visual modeling languages such as UML, workflow diagrams, and similar tools.

2. Human-Computer Interaction:

This course covers interface design, accessibility, inclusivity, and usability testing for evaluating interfaces on digital platforms.

3. Database

Students learn how to store, manage, and process data using database management systems.

4. Web and Mobile Programming

Students are challenged to build web-based or mobile applications to support business needs.

5. IT Project Management

This course covers managing technology projects from start to finish, including drawing up timelines, budgets, and workforce requirements.

6. Enterprise Systems

Students gain broader exposure to the large-scale systems companies use for cross-division integration.

7. Data Mining and Data Analytic

Students learn how to turn data into information and insights for organizational decision-making.

8. Business Process Management

Focuses on understanding how workflows within a company operate, then analyzing and optimizing them for greater efficiency.

 The core focus is understanding business needs, translating them into IT solutions, and ensuring the resulting system genuinely fits what the company requires.

Yusuf explained that the UMS Information Systems curriculum is structured around elective courses that students can choose based on the professional role they wish to pursue. "For example, systems analyst, data analyst, project manager, or digital business founder. Each role has its own set of elective courses to choose from," he added.

The career prospects for Information Systems graduates are broad, with a range of paths available depending on individual interests and strengths. These include roles such as

1. Database Administrator
2. Data Analyst
3. Developer
4. Enterprise Resource Planning Specialist
5. Information Security Specialist
6. IT Consultant
7. Manager

As for the skills graduates need before entering the workforce, Yusuf highlighted several hard skills: programming fundamentals, SQL and database knowledge, systems analysis, and an understanding of business processes.

"For soft skills, graduates need to master communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to continuously adapt to new technologies," he said.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva