Ambon (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli\nHasan, has encouraged students of Pattimura University (Unpatti) Ambon\nto improve the quality of human resources so they can generate ideas and\nsolutions for the development of Maluku and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cUniversities must be places for discussion and for critiquing\npolicy. We must learn quickly, because the nation\u2019s problems require\nrapid solutions,\u201d he said while delivering a public lecture at the\nUnpatti Rectorate Hall in Ambon on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
According to him, higher education holds a strategic position in\npreparing the younger generation to not only master scientific knowledge\nbut also to understand and find solutions to various national issues. He\nencouraged students not to merely accept every government policy, but to\nactively question the root of problems and offer alternative solutions\nbased on science.<\/p>\n
\u201cPattimura University is one of the best campuses in eastern\nIndonesia. Therefore, I hope students can become part of the solution to\nthe nation\u2019s problems,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
He noted that the food sector is directly linked to the lives of\ncommunities that depend on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and\nvarious other food-related enterprises. \u201cThey are our brothers, they are\nour family, they are part of us. We must not pretend not to know.\nFarmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders are part of us that we must\ndefend,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the effort to achieve food self-sufficiency is a\nvital step in increasing the welfare of those working in the food\nsector, including farmers. He added that dependency on imports could\npotentially pressure domestic farmers, as their production may struggle\nto find market absorption when foreign products enter the domestic\nmarket.<\/p>\n
He expressed hope that Unpatti students could utilise their education\nas a space to strengthen critical thinking abilities while building\nempathy for societal issues.<\/p>\n
The Rector of Unpatti Ambon, Fredy Leiwakabessy, stated that the\nuniversity is ready to support the government in strengthening food\nsecurity in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s \u2018Asta Cita\u2019\nprogramme, particularly through the development of marine and fishery\npotential.<\/p>\n
He explained that Unpatti possesses a Marine Station covering\napproximately 12 hectares in Hila Village, Leihitu District, Central\nMaluku Regency, which is equipped with several facilities to support the\ndevelopment of the marine and fisheries sectors. \u201cThere are breeding\nponds, cultivation ponds, floating net cages, cold storage, and ice\nfactories, but all of them are not yet functional,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, these facilities could serve as a base for\nresearch, education, and productivity in the marine and fisheries sector\nif supported by capacity building and increased funding. He hoped that\ngovernment support through food sector programmes could help optimise\nthese facilities so that Unpatti produces not only high-quality\ngraduates but also contributes directly to solving food issues in\nMaluku.<\/p>\n
Fredy added that Unpatti operates under the scientific principle of\n\u201cMarine Glory\u201d (Bina Mulia Kelautan), supported by human resources and\ninfrastructure that can be developed to strengthen food security based\non marine resources. He also noted that the 2026 intake of new students\nat Unpatti holds great hope to become future national leaders.\nTherefore, the educational process over the next four years is directed\ntowards forming graduates who possess the competence to contribute to\ndevelopment. \u201cWe hope they will graduate as high-quality scholars to\nbuild Indonesia towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision,\u201d he\nconcluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/zulkifli-hasan-urges-pattimura-university-students-to-enhance-human-resource-quality-1788375247", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }