Indonesia Must Face Swift, Dynamic Changes of Era, President Jokowi Says
President Jokowi meets academics of Sumbawa University of Technology, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Monday (30/7) (Photo: PR/Nia)
The biggest challenge facing Indonesia for the future is a swift and dynamic change of the era as the world is facing industrial revolution 4.0 in which things can rapidly change, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said during a gathering with academics of Sumbawa University of Technology, in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, Monday (30/7).
Consequently, the President added, the world is experiencing rapid changes that can be anticipated only by the academics; thus the President called on universities to prepare their students to face those changes.
President Jokowi also expressed his belief that the young generation is a hope to address the changes as delivered by the McKinsey Global Institute in which the changes are indicated by the development of technologies including Artificial Intelligence, advanced robotic, or 3D printing that can be used to build a house in just 24 hours.
Sweeping and cleaning the floor at Singapores Changi Airport does not use humans anymore; the tasks are now handled by robots. Big industries such as automotive industry also uses robots. What does it imply? Preparation is needed to face changes, the President said, while citing the example of changes in payment system in which the people can now use Alipay, cryptocurrency, or bitcoin, for example.
President Jokowi also shared his experience during the visit to headquarters of Twitter, Facebook, Google, and plug and play in Silicon Valley in which he was introduced with several new technologies and invited by Facebook founder Mark Zukerberg to play table-less ping pong by using special glasses only.
Furthermore, President Jokowi also expressed his belief that its young rector, Sumbawa University of Technology can do it (face the changes). Anticipation will start from here, he added.
President Jokowi also asked the Rector to prepare its students to face the changes. I believe that your students are dynamic (to the changes). They have sparkling eyes. They are smart and bright, President Jokowi said, while expressing his belief that the University will produce several visionary leaders for Indonesias better future.
Also attending the event were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Sofyan Djalil, and Governor of West Nusa Tenggara TGH Zainul Majdi. (SLN/ES) (RAS/EP/Naster)
