Human Resource Development Must Continue Despite Pandemic: President Jokowi

President Jokowi delivers remarks during the virtual launching of “Merdeka Belajar” (Freedom to Learn) program part 6 on Tuesday (3/11). Photo by: BPMI

Efforts to develop human resources in Indonesia must continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“The pandemic must be used as momentum to improve the national education ecosystem, including higher education,” the President said during the virtual launching of “Merdeka Belajar” (Freedom to Learn) program part 6 with the theme of “Transformation of Government Funds for Higher Education” on Tuesday (3/11).

The President said that in the era of competition, higher education institutions need to change the curriculum from the rigid curriculum to the more flexible one. Higher education institutions also need to embrace new paradigms, more responsive measures, and new approaches with a broader scientific perspective.

Policies regarding KPI (key performance indicators) for lecturers, priority programs of higher education and budget allocations, infrastructure, and various new SOPs (standard operating procedures) must also be formulated immediately.

“In the fields of research and community service, various new normality standards must be formulated,” the President added.

The President went on to say that various research and technological developments in the digital field should have been given top priority. He added that various digital technology developments such as big data analysis and artificial intelligence can be utilized in various fields to benefit the people. On a practical level, technological developments and innovations are expected to support the development of food security, energy security, and entrepreneurship development of MSMEs in various sectors.

“Higher education institutions must be transformed to be more dynamic. Create breakthroughs, build a competitive climate to increase competitiveness, create synergies, collaborate with State-Owned Enterprises and industry, and use digital-based talent pools and other cooperation models to optimize capabilities and encourage better performance,” the President said. (BPMI/UN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti