Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Open Meeting of the 58th Anniversary of Brawijaya University, from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, 5 January 2021

Bismillahirahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Peace and Prosperity be upon us,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue.

Honorable Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Honorable Governor and Vice Governor  of East Java Province,

Honorable Rector of Brawijaya University Nuhfil Hanani,

Honorable Vice-Rectors, the Deans, the Leaderships and Members of the Senate, and the Supervisory Board of Brawijaya University,

Honorable Lecturers, Students, Alumni, Education Personnel of Brawijaya University,

Esteemed Guests.

First of all, to all leaderships of the university, as well as heads of faculties and departments, professors, lecturers, staff, and students, as well as Brawijaya University alumni throughout Indonesia, it is my great pleasure to congratulate Brawijaya University on its 58th Anniversary. Hopefully, Brawijaya University will always contribute greatly to the progress of the nation and the state.

Esteemed Academic Members of Brawijaya University,

We have gone through 2020, a year full of difficulties, full of challenges. The year 2020 has taught us many lessons, inspired us to make breakthroughs and innovations, forced us to work beyond boundaries, and proven us that we are capable and competent. 2021 is a year full of hope. We all strive hard so that we can handle health problems quickly and carry out vaccinations immediately. But, we all have to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols.

The economy has started to bounce back and will continue to bounce back marked by the increased number of investments in early 2021, which will improve the economy and will open up as many jobs as possible, and bring advancement in the economy in the throes of intense global competition.

However, all of these opportunities require our readiness in various fields, especially in the development of Indonesia’s superior talents who have strong national characteristics and are always innovative, competitive and able to win the world hypercompetition full of disruption and uncertainty.

Indonesia is waiting for the superior science and technology of Brawijaya University products to help improve people’s welfare. I received a report that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of patents filed by Brawijaya University inventors reached 132 patents, the highest in Indonesia in the university category. However, I hope we don’t stop at the number of patents. Rather, it must be continued with a partnership to strengthen the downstreaming of research results and innovations, through collaboration between universities and the industrial world for the advancement of the nation.

Honorable Academic Members of Brawijaya University,

I believe that higher education is the most perfect organization as a reference for reform. Innovation is the keyword. Therefore, don’t get caught up in routine anymore, we have to develop new ways, the desire of students and lecturers to innovate must be cultivated, new creations must be facilitated and developed.

Therefore, education must be carried out in new ways. Students must be facilitated so that they can learn from anyone. You can learn from industry players. You can learn from entrepreneurs. You can learn from government practitioners. And, from other field actors. Collaboration with these practitioners is not only to provide work experience to students but also to join hands to do research and development in technology, in the industrial world, as well as in pure sciences.

Finally, let me repeat my message and this is the message that I constantly repeat, higher education must build the character of the younger generation with a strong national spirit, who uphold the ideology of Pancasila, respect diversity in brotherhood and unity, have high integrity, anti-corruption spirit, and tolerance as well as respect democracy. I believe that Brawijaya University will be able to make a big contribution to realize an advanced Indonesia which we aspire to be.

Happy 58th anniversary, hopefully, Brawijaya University will still be a place to build future glory.

I thank you,

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (FI/MUR)