Universities Should Foster Entrepreneurship: President Jokowi
President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, takes picture with leaders of University of North Sumatera (USU) in Medan, North Sumatera, Monday (8/10). Photo by: Rahmat/ Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat.
Indonesia lacks entrepreneurs, who are very important factors in creating jobs, according to President Joko Jokowi Widodo.
The President cited the example that in the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Index, Indonesia’s entrepreneurship ranked 90th from 137 countries, 16th out of 24 Asian countries, and 87th from 137 countries in terms of innovations and copyrights.
“It shows that we have a lot of things to do, President Jokowi said in his general lecture at the 66th Anniversary of the University of North Sumatra (USU), Medan, Monday (8/10).
On the occasion, the President invited leaders of universities to foster ecosystems for entrepreneurship development to boost the growth of start-up businesses, build ecosystems that encourage new entrepreneurs, and encourage new entrepreneurs to become big businessmen.
“Let’s develop financing schemes to strengthen alternative financing for new entrepreneurs,” President Jokowi said.
President Jokowi further stressed that entrepreneurship is not solely for profit making for the company, but also for bringing benefits for the communities. Entrepreneurship, the President added, will create sociopreneurs who are expected to solve social problems through entrepreneurial methods.
President Jokowi also expressed hope that universities can play an important role in developing ecosystems to create sociopreneurs. For this reason, the President continued, new ways must be developed and new innovations must be facilitated and developed. “We must support sociopreneurs who will solve problems in the society,” President Jokowi added.
The President further said that higher education must indeed produce graduates who master technology and science. However, the President added, universities should also make their alumni love the country, uphold the principles of Pancasila (state ideology), and support social justice for all Indonesians though integrity and professionalism.
Also present during the event were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education M. Nasir, Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi, and USU Chancellor Dr. Runtung Sitepu. (DNA/RAH/ES) (RI/EP/Naster)
