Anies Baswedan: University Studies Are Not for Job Preparation

Former Rector of Paramadina University, Anies Baswedan, stated that university studies are for developing students’ personal potential. He rejected the notion that university is for job preparation. “Because professions may not even exist today. Many new professions will emerge in the future,” said Anies at the Seminar on Integrity, Character, Competence, and Technology in Indonesian Education at Paramadina University in East Jakarta on Wednesday, 6 May 2026. For Anies, university aims to prepare students to create works. Creating can be done as an employee or as an employer. This former Minister of Education and Culture also urged students to take their studies seriously. He suggested choosing study programmes and campus activities that can develop personal potential. “Think seriously about personal development. University time is a period that cannot be repeated,” said the former Governor of DKI Jakarta. He also advised students to utilise technology for personal development. Technologies such as artificial intelligence can be used to develop oneself. Not only that, he asked that technology be used to expand networks. For example, communication studies students can network with journalists or government communication experts. Anies attended the event organised by Paramadina University. The event invited several teachers and students from various schools in Jakarta and Bekasi.