President Prabowo Holds Briefing with Rectors and Professors, Discussing National Higher Education Direction

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi explains the agenda of The President’s Briefing with Rectors and Leaders of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions at the central courtyard of Presidential Palace, on Thursday (01/15).

President Prabowo Subianto held The President’s Briefing with Rectors and Leaders of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions at the central courtyard of Presidential Palace, on Thursday (01/15). Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the briefing served as the official agenda of President Prabowo as Head of State and Head of Government to discuss and convey strategic views to education stake holders.

“It was a part of President’s agenda as Head of State and Head of Government to engage in discussions and convey his views and updates on the current national and geopolitical conditions, as well as our grand plannings in the future,” said the Minister in his remarks to the press.

 At the forum, the President discussed with approximately 1,200 invitees, comprising rectors and professors from both public and private higher education institutions. The briefing stood as part the President’s intensive communication with various elements of the nation, particularly within the education sector.

“For this reason, Mr. President has been conducting extensive communication with various parties, and today is the schedule specifically for discussing and building communication with rectors and professors from both public and private higher education institutions,” said the Minister.

The Minister highlighted that over the past week, the President has been focusing on strengthening the education sector as fundamental pillar of national development, along with government’s major agenda to achieve food self-sufficiency and energy self-sufficiency. The Minister also stated that the briefing covered a number of strategic high education issues.

“The discussion had been started by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology regarding the acceleration progress to fulfill our country’s need for medical doctors, as the data has shown that we still face a shortage of more than 100 thousand resources,” the Minister said.

President Prabowo also emphasized his concern in improving the quality of higher education institutions, including lecturer resources, facilities and infrastructure, as well as the sustainability of operational funding. The Government, said the Minister, puts effort in order for higher education institutions in Indonesia to keep advancing and maintain high quality without imposing a heavy financial burden on the public and students.

“We are trying to figure out how would the universities be able to keep advancing and improve in quality without creating burden on financial aspect,” he added.

The briefing reaffirms the President’s commitment in putting higher education and strengthening human resources as key pillars toward 2045 Golden Indonesia vision. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (YA/AW)