AHY Receives Audience from Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, Emphasises Collaboration
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development of Indonesia (Menko Infra) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) emphasised the importance of collaboration. AHY stressed collaboration between the government and higher education institutions in strengthening human resources (HR) and infrastructure development in Kalimantan.
This was conveyed during a reception of an audience from the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) leadership at the Menko Infra Office in Jakarta.
The meeting discussed the development of ITK as a flagship technological higher education institution in the Kalimantan region, as well as exploring strategic cooperation in supporting regional development and economic growth.
The audience was led by ITK Rector Prof Dr Agus Rubiyanto, along with campus leaders. On this occasion, ITK also extended an invitation to AHY to attend and deliver a scientific oration at the 12th Anniversary Open Senate Session of ITK.
AHY welcomed the visit positively and affirmed that cross-sector synergy is the key to successful national development, especially in Kalimantan, which has significant natural resource potential.
“The government cannot work alone. Collaboration with various parties, including academics, is very much needed,” said AHY in a written statement on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
“The campus is an important source of research and innovation in supporting infrastructure development and economic growth,” he added.
AHY explained that Menko Infra prioritises a pentahelix approach involving government, academics, the business world, media, and communities in formulating and implementing development policies.
This approach ensures that policies are more on target and have a real impact on society.
Furthermore, AHY emphasised that current infrastructure development must be oriented towards outcomes and impacts, not just physical projects.
“Our approach is outcome and impact. Infrastructure must directly contribute to public welfare, including reducing poverty and inequality as well as creating jobs,” AHY asserted.
In his presentation, AHY also explained the strategic role of the ministries under his coordination, ranging from agrarian affairs and spatial planning, public works, housing and settlements, transportation, to transmigration, all integrated into regional development.
Regarding Kalimantan, AHY assessed that the region has great opportunities as a new national economic growth centre, especially with its wealth of natural resources and strategic regional development in East Kalimantan (Kaltim).
“Kalimantan has extraordinary resources. The challenge is to manage them sustainably and provide added value for society,” AHY stated.
“This is where ITK’s role is very strategic in producing superior HR while driving research and innovation,” he added.
AHY also emphasised the importance of balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability. The concepts of prosperity and sustainability must go hand in hand in every development policy.
AHY expressed efforts to continue opening opportunities for collaboration with ITK and other higher education institutions.
“We are ready to collaborate. ITK has an important role as a centre for technology development in Kalimantan and is expected to be a driving force for progress through research and innovation,” said AHY.
For information, the meeting was also attended by Special Staff for Management and Inter-Institutional Cooperation Agust Jovan Latuconsina; Special Staff for Accelerating Development Irjen Pol Arif Rachman; and Expert Staff for Politics and Regional Development Governance Ahmad Khoirul Umam.