President Jokowi Urges Universities to Make Changes to Face Rapid Global Changes

President Jokowi attends the 60th Dies Natalis (anniversary) event (1957-2017) of Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java, Monday (11/9). (Photo by: OJI/Public Relations Division)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that it is universities that are most prepared in facing rapid global changes.

Therefore, the President hopes that universities in Indonesia, including Padjadjaran University, can take part in anticipating those rapid changes. “Now due to those changes, 30% of malls and stores have been closed because the people buy things online. It means, how many people are now unemployed? Due to purchasing things online people do not have to go to the stores. Buying online is cheaper and faster,” said President Jokowi in his academic lecture at the 60^th Dies Natalis (anniversary) event (1957-2017) of Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java, Monday (11/9).

As for anticipatory measures that have to be prepared, President Jokowi said that Indonesia’s universities must dare to make changes. President Jokowi lamented that for years, there have been no changes in faculties at universities in Indonesia, including at faculties of economy which offer the same old programs such as management, development, and accounting.

In fact, what is needed now, the President added, is that universities have to dare to reform faculties of economy by offering programs such as logistic management, retail management, or online store management because the world has indeed changed. “This is what we have to anticipate. Otherwise, we will lose the competition with other countries,” the President said.

President Jokowi also regretted that there is no faculty that offers programs related to social media because according to the President, social media will later influence socio-political issues and because people now want to interact with each other through social media.

President Jokowi further said in that in the next 5 – 10 years, Generation Y or the the Millennial Generation will become the driving force of the changes and will decide the market, as well as influence politics and the economy. “All countries have already talked about this. We also have to be prepared for that,” the President concluded.

Also attending the event were Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Rector of Padjadjaran University Try Hanggono Ahmad, and West Java Deputy Governor Dedy Mizwar. (FID/OJI/ES) (ES) (EP/YM/Naster)