Collaboration between FTI UMN and The IO Foundation Opens Global Opportunities for Students

Group photo of The IO Foundation team with FTI UMN. (Doc. UMN)

Tangerang, (February 13, 2026) — The Faculty of Engineering & Informatics (Fakultas Teknik & Informatika/FTI) UMN is exploring collaboration with The IO Foundation through community development involving FTI UMN students and lecturers. This collaboration also includes organizing seminars and training to strengthen students’ knowledge and skills in technology and digital rights.

The IO Foundation is a global non-profit organization that focuses on digital rights issues, particularly privacy and data protection. The IO Foundation’s presence is not limited to educational purposes; it also supports technologists in protecting human and digital rights through the development of digital infrastructure.

“Our organization is engaged in technology and strives to design systems that are not only useful but also protect their users. Through this collaboration, we are opening opportunities for students to join our community, Argos Club, as a forum to prepare for their careers and enrich their knowledge so that they can contribute to the development of secure technology in the future,” Jean Francois Queralt, Founder and CEO of The IO Foundation, explained.

Jean added that students who join the Argos Club can gain new knowledge and actively collaborate with the IO Foundation. Jean expressed his full support for preparing students for the future as they join the Argos Club.

“The collaboration between The IO Foundation and UMN is expected to be sustainable. We are donating special tools that we hope will be useful for students. Of course, we will continue to maintain and upgrade these tools, both in terms of software and hardware, with the help of students involved in the Argos Club,” Irena V. Gunawan, Indonesian Associate of The IO Foundation, said

By becoming members of the Argos Club, students will receive training and skills development from The IO Foundation. She also explained that the database of students who have joined can become a portfolio that is expected to expand career opportunities at the international level through a partnership with The IO Foundation.

The IO Foundation training session with UMN students at the Big Data Lab. (Doc. UMN)

As part of an exploration of collaboration, UMN and The IO Foundation officially launched the Argos Club community on the same day, with UMN students in attendance. Additionally, the students also participated in a seminar and training session with Jean.

“FTI itself has various research labs, and through this collaboration, we aim to build a strong community between lecturers and students, especially in developing useful projects. Of course, this community does not stop when students graduate. Still, after graduation, students can remain active and contribute,” Monika Evelin Johan, S.Kom., M.M.S.I., as a lecturer and coordinator of FTI UMN cooperation, said.

Beyond building a community, Monika emphasized the importance of this collaboration for students as UMN moves toward internationalization. Through this program, students are expected to gain experience, access industry case studies, and receive global mentoring.

“My hope is that this collaboration can be a strategic step for FTI UMN in developing students’ abilities, so that in the future, students are not only equipped with lecture materials but can also implement them in the workplace and daily life. Of course, collaboration with The IO Foundation is also expected to be more extensive and widespread,” she added.

By Rachel Tiffany | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

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