Higher Education Should Promote Students’ Talent Development, President Jokowi Says

President Joko Widodo delivers remarks to participants of PPSA XXIII and PPRA LXII 2021, Wednesday (13/10), at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta. (Photo: BPMI/Kris)

Higher education must be able to facilitate students to develop their talents, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

According to him, the world’s rapid changes marked by the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and technological disruption should be addressed with a wise attitude, particularly in developing digital technology.

For this reason, President Jokowi underscored that improving human capital must be a concern.

“Human capital should really be our concern. Our higher education institutions must facilitate students to develop their talents. Don’t be fenced off by study programs that hinder the students’ talents,” said the President to participants of National Defense Agency (Lemhanas) PPSA XXIII and PPRA LXII 2021, at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/10).

The Head of State went on to explain that in the future many jobs will be lost and new types of jobs will emerge.

Therefore, students must be able to catch up with various scientific developments such as statistical mathematics, computer science, English, to programming languages, he added.

“If we don’t anticipate such developments immediately, we will be left behind. For example, the medical faculty should start having courses on robotics as soon as possible. Updating new skill is a must,” he said.

The President also reminded that universities and colleges must be able to encourage their students to study anywhere, from anyone, to dare to try new things, and not to be stuck with routines.

Students may also be given an opportunity to study at a technology company, he added.

“Facilitate students in a technology company for them to learn about new technology, such as Hyperloop, SpaceX, or advanced robotic. They must learn about it because the world changes very fast,” he added.

In addition, President Jokowi continued, higher education must also be able to produce graduates who are superior, physically and mentally healthy, have good character, as well as have nationalism spirit. Those lessons, he added, should be taught both on campus and off campus.  (SLN / UN) (EST / EP)