Bappidsus and MRPTNI Discuss Five National Strategic Issues, Including Free Nutritious Meals Programme

The Special Development and Investment Control Agency (Bappidsus) held a National Discussion Chapter 1 with the Council of Rectors of Indonesian State Universities (MRPTNI) to discuss five national strategic issues. One of the five strategic issues discussed in the meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday evening was related to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Head of Bappidsus Aris Marsudiyanto led the meeting alongside 19 state university rectors. “Today I received an audience from the Council of Rectors of Indonesian State Universities. Twenty were invited, but UGM could not attend, so 19 were present, it should have been 20 universities,” Aris said. He explained that the meeting, which lasted nearly five hours, allowed him to hear directly the ideas and input from universities regarding these national strategic issues. “After all, state universities are a vessel for intelligent people to create golden generations,” Aris said. MRPTNI Chairman Prof. Edwart Wolok stated that the five strategic issues discussed with Bappidsus included health, particularly the education pattern for health, specifically specialist doctor education programmes and sub-specialist doctor education programmes. “Lastly, it is related to research for Nusantara civilisation,” Wolok said. The Rector of Gorontalo University mentioned that in the meeting, the rectors conveyed their thoughts and ideas regarding the current strategic issues. “The essence is how we together convey thoughts and ideas, not only to enhance the capacity and capability of state universities but more than that, how we jointly respond to the issues and problems of the nation today and how state universities can play a role according to their function to contribute to the success of these programmes,” he said. Wolok added that this National Discussion Chapter 1 with Bappidsus is a follow-up to the National Gathering event opened by President Prabowo some time ago.