President Jokowi: Changing Mindset is Necessary for Transformation in Higher Education System

President Jokowi and Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim engage in discussion on Kampus Merdeka (Freedom Campus), at the State Palace, Jakarta. (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

According to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, in order to begin transformation on Indonesia’s higher education system to adjust to the global development and create the best human resources, it is necessary to also transform methods, mindset, and knowledge to the new ones.

“I have several points of note. First, the latest inventions in science and technology will be applied everywhere, not only at universities but also at industry and the community,” he said during a discussion on Kampus Merdeka (Freedom Kampus), at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (15/6).

Therefore, he added, university students must be offered opportunity to learn from anyone, not only from their lecturers but also learn from the industry and community. In addition, they will also learn not only theory from books but also by doing practice.

“Students’ works do not always mean the academic work but also invention of technologies that can be applied to the community and entrepreneurship work that can address social issues,” the President said.

He went on to say that forming new mindset must be supported by various parties. University must offer opportunity to the students to learn anything from anyone and provide more classes outside the campus. Meanwhile, the industrial sector may take part by open more internship programs for students, give lecture to the students, and join the university’s research with students and lecturers.

“Students must be proactive to learn from other sources outside the campus. Through advanced digital technology, they can do it more easily,” he said.

On that occasion, the President also called on his cabinet and regional governments to develop a favorable ecosystem for the development of Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn) and Kampus Merdeka (Freedom Campus) programs.

“A good ecosystem will boost people’s enthusiasm, and I hope we can improve the program and make it more sustainable,” he concluded.  (BPMI SETPRES/UN) (RAS/LW)