Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question

Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question

Comments by a senior Indonesian official about students pursuing “irrelevant” university degrees has sparked a debate about what sort of careers will survive in a fast-changing job market. Indonesia is looking at ways to better equip universities and vocational schools for the future job market, and a relatively low level of graduates with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degrees has the government concerned. It’s a priority across Asia, with governments trying different methods to increase the number of STEM students, with some like China and Malaysia having more success than others. But with AI-related job losses hitting the global tech sector particularly hard, should we be rethinking the types of careers that will withstand the artificial intelligence shock? Host Mariko Oi is joined by journalist Astudestra Ajengrastri from the BBC World Service in Jakarta and Bill Birtles from the Asia Specific podcast team. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

The US-China robotaxi race

Who will dominate in the race to develop and scale self-driving cars - the US or China? The two countries are far ahead in the autonomous vehicle space. While the technology has many applications, the most obvious one – and the one most talked about – is robotaxis. As driverless cars increasingly start being rolled out in cities around the world, we unpack whether funding and user experience or scale and diverse real world driving data will ultimately prove more valuable for the companies in the autonomous driving space. Host Mariko Oi unpacks the challenges autonomous car companies face with Suranjana Tewari and Tu Le, both of whom were at the recent Beijing auto show. Suranjana is the BBC’s Asia Business correspondent. Tu is the founder and Managing Director of the consultancy Sino Auto Insights, and has worked in the tech and automotive sectors. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

The Philippines beauty pageant controversy

A recent victory by a Filipina American beauty pageant contestant has sparked a debate about what it means to truly represent the Philippines. The country has arguably the most enthusiastic beauty pageant culture in the world, with widespread fame and life-changing opportunities awaiting winners. But the winner of this year’s Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski has had to defend her victory after being criticised for previously representing the United States at another pageant. The widespread media coverage of her victory and subsequent debate speaks to the broad appeal of beauty pageants in the Philippines. While they're regarded as relatively niche events in many other countries and have attracted criticism for being sexist, objectifying women and promoting unobtainable beauty standards, they still loom large in the Philippines, where winners can become national icons. Asia Specific host Mariko Oi speaks to broadcaster and podcast host Rico Hizon and Ariella ‘Ara’ Arida, the National Director for Training and Development of the Miss Universe Philippines Organisation to discuss the latest controversy and unpack why beauty pageants retain such broad appeal in the Philippines. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

Why North Korea became a women's football powerhouse

North Korean women footballers are heading to South Korea, in a closely watched match taking place at a moment of deep tension between the two neighbours. The two Koreas are still technically at war, and official contact between Pyongyang and Seoul has been minimal in recent years. But sport has long played a unique role in inter-Korean relations - from unified Olympic marches to politically charged football matches played in empty stadiums. In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Seoul correspondent Jake Kwon and freelance sports reporter Daisy Yoo about why North Korea’s women's football team has become one of the strongest in Asia and how one of the world’s most isolated countries built a football powerhouse. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

Bali’s rubbish crisis

Bali is facing a worsening rubbish crisis, with landfill restrictions causing garbage to pile up, on an island already infamous for plastic-strewn beaches. As the main landfill site tightens rules on organic waste, local communities are left scrambling for alternatives, and in some cases, resorting to burning rubbish. Indonesia’s president has even weighed in, criticising the island’s cleanliness and calling for urgent action. So can Bali fix its rubbish problem or is the damage already done? In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to Bali-based journalist Ade Mardiyati and environmental campaigner Gary Bencheghib of Sungai Watch about what’s really driving Bali’s waste crisis, how waste is currently managed, why enforcement of plastic bans is uneven, and whether overtourism is overwhelming the island’s infrastructure. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk UPDATE 18 May 2026: During the discussion in this program, a guest recounted a comment from a local government official in Batang regency, Central Java, saying that some funds the regency previously allocated for waste management had been redirected to the national government’s free nutritional meals program. A spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency BGN says the free nutritional meals policy is part of a national government budget and says it does not instruct regional governments to reduce waste management allocations in support of the programme. "Budgeting priorities and fiscal decisions at the regional level remain under the authority of the respective local governments and relevant ministries overseeing regional administration and public finance,”, the BGN spokeswoman said.