Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto has reminded\nuniversities of their strategic role in optimising the demographic\nbonus. This is crucial for promoting sustainable development within the\nframework of national sovereignty.<\/p>\n
He conveyed this during the National Seminar and Annual Working\nMeeting of the Cooperation Agency (BKS) for State Universities (PTN) in\nWestern Indonesia in the Social Sciences at the University of Lampung on\nFriday (17\/4).<\/p>\n
In his presentation, Bima stressed that the demographic bonus\nrepresents a major but limited opportunity that will shape Indonesia\u2019s\nfuture. Therefore, this momentum must be utilised optimally through\ncross-sector collaboration, including between the government and\nuniversities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest challenge for Indonesia today is how to maximise the\ndemographic bonus towards the Golden Indonesia. This is a momentum that\nnot many people realise,\u201d Bima stated in his remarks on Friday\n(17\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He explained, based on projections from international institutions\nsuch as the World Bank, that Indonesia has the potential to become one\nof the world\u2019s five largest economies in the next 20 years.<\/p>\n
However, this opportunity can only be achieved if Indonesia manages\nto escape the middle-income trap that has long hindered growth\nacceleration.<\/p>\n
Bima encouraged academics to strengthen data bases and research in\nassessing Indonesia\u2019s current position regarding the demographic bonus.\nHe views universities as important centres of knowledge and think tanks\ncapable of bridging the gap between theory and policy\nimplementation.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow this is my challenge to my campus friends, let\u2019s compile that\ndata. The Ministry of Home Affairs will contribute to discussions, we\nwill exchange ideas and share data,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Bima outlined four keys to success for countries that\nhave successfully advanced: sustainable national vision, self-reliance,\neffective leadership, and collaboration and innovation.<\/p>\n
He assessed that Indonesia\u2019s current challenges lie in the suboptimal\nsynchronisation of policies, weak research bases in decision-making, and\nregional fiscal capacity disparities.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, he also emphasised that sustainable development\nmust be carried out substantively and data-based, not merely symbolic or\ngimmicky.<\/p>\n
In this regard, universities are expected to play an active role in\nproducing superior human resources, including through strengthening\ngreen leadership among the younger generation.<\/p>\n
Through this forum, Bima hopes that synergy between the government\nand universities will grow stronger in optimally utilising the\ndemographic bonus, thereby driving the emergence of adaptive,\nresearch-based policies with real impacts on sustainable national\ndevelopment.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/deputy-interior-minister-reminds-universities-to-optimise-demographic-bonus-1776430332", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }