From Research to Play: SEMS Laboratory’s Serious Simulation Games at Productivity Goes to Campus 2025

On December 11, 2025, SEMS Laboratory (System Engineering Modelling and Simulation) from the Department of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Indonesia took part in Productivity Goes to Campus 2025, held at Balai Sidang Universitas Indonesia. The event, organized by the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with PII-BKTI, brought together professionals, students, and innovators under the theme “Produktif & Inovatif: Membangun Karier, Mencipta Karya, Menginspirasi Negeri.”
For SEMS, this was another chance to do what they do best: show that simulation is not just an academic exercise, but a real tool for understanding complex problems.

Games That Actually Teach Something
At the heart of the SEMS booth were four Serious Simulation Games (SSG) — interactive games specifically designed as learning and development tools. Three of them, Kelolapak, Tatasentra, and Ready Set Sell, were developed in collaboration with PPPD (Pasar Jaya), one of Jakarta’s key market management bodies. The fourth, Milkrun, was displayed as an additional showcase.
What makes this interesting is the “serious” part. These aren’t games made just for fun. Each one is built around real operational challenges faced by market vendors and managers in Jakarta. Playing them isn’t just engaging, it’s educational in a way that feels natural.
Visitors at the booth could try Kelolapak firsthand during dedicated play sessions, giving them a direct taste of how simulation-based learning works.

More Than Just a Display

The SEMS Laboratory didn’t just stand behind their booth waiting for people to walk by. They actively shared the story behind the games: how they were developed, what problems they aim to solve, and why games can be a powerful medium for learning.
That conversation resonated. Several visitors expressed genuine interest in collaboration, impressed by the idea of a research lab that channels its work into something as accessible and engaging as a game.

The Bigger Picture
Participation in events like this matters for SEMS not just for visibility, but for what it represents. Through their SSG collaboration with Pasar Jaya, the lab is contributing directly to Jakarta’s development by helping market stakeholders learn and improve through simulation.
It’s a reminder that good research doesn’t always end in a journal. Sometimes, it ends up in the hands of someone playing a game and learning something they’ll actually use.