Higher Education Institutions Must Innovate to Face Global Competition: President Jokowi

President Jokowi

Higher education institutions must embrace creativity and innovation to win competition in today’s rapidly changing world, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“We should not be trapped in mediocrity. We must not be held hostage by mundane routines. We must continue to develop new methods,” the President said in his virtual remarks during the commemoration of the 45^th Anniversary of Sebelas Maret University (UNS), Friday (12/3).

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidentcontinued, has taught everyone to leave the old ways behind. Things that were once considered taboo are now part of new way of life and digitalization must be carried out by every institution, he added.

“Performance measures must be changed, budgeting methods must be changed, and new work programs must be introduced,” the President said.

President Jokowi also said that for long-established institutions, it is often not easy to introduce new methods and create disruption.

“On this 45^th anniversary, I believe that the UNS is committed to making big changes, developing science and technology in accordance with today’s demands and producing graduates needed by the future labor market,” the President stated.

The President went on to say that the labor market has also currently undergone significant changes with many types of obsolete jobs.

“It takes a change in study programs, curriculum, and lecturers. The 4^th industrial revolution has progressed significantly and the old-fashioned science and technology have become obsolete. Management theories, organizations, and business models have also changed a lot. Communication patterns and people’s behavior have also changed a lot. Surely, the research program also has to create many changes,” the President explained.

The 45-year experience of the UNS, the President added, is currently being challenged to change. The President also expressed hope that the UNS can continue to make a major contribution in producing qualified, competent, and excellent graduates for the benefit of humanity and the progress of the nation.

“Happy 45^th Anniversary for Sebelas Maret University. Congratulations on creating and innovating science and technology and producing talents to address humanity’s challenges and for the sake of the nation’s progress to materialize an advanced Indonesia that we aspire to be,” the President concluded. (FID/UN) (RI/MUR)