Campuses as a National Solution
A compelling message emerged from the National Symposium of the 2026 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) held at the Jakarta International Convention Center from 26–28 June 2026. The gathering, which brought together rectors, deans, and lecturers from public and private universities across Indonesia, was more than just an academic forum. Amidst global economic challenges, technological transformation, and increasingly complex geopolitical rivalries, the forum became a moment to reaffirm the position of higher education as a key determinant of Indonesia’s future direction.
The National Symposium, themed ‘Strategy for Indonesia’s Economic Independence and Welfare’, left a very strong impression. It did not merely discuss how campuses can improve education quality, fix governance, or pursue international reputations. More than that, the forum called on all academics to reposition universities as primary actors in solving various national problems. Campuses were summoned to be present, not just to observe.
In his address, President Prabowo Subianto issued a very clear challenge to Indonesian universities. Campuses are encouraged to become pioneers of excellence in every field according to their respective competencies. Some campuses excel in food, energy, health, technology, education, law, culture, maritime affairs, or defence. This excellence is not intended as mere inter-campus competition, but as a collective endeavour to build Indonesia through the power of knowledge.
This message is deeply rooted in the constitution. Article 31, paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia affirms that the national education system aims to enhance faith, piety, noble character, and the intellectual life of the nation. Education, therefore, is not only about producing a workforce but also about shaping Indonesian people who have character, responsibility, and a concern for national life. Furthermore, Article 31, paragraph (5) mandates the development of science and technology by upholding religious values and national unity for the advancement of civilisation and human welfare. Knowledge must not stop at academic publications but must provide tangible benefits to society. Thus, the President’s call for every university to become a centre of excellence is essentially a reinforcement of the constitutional mandate that higher education is a driver of national development.
The view that campuses are ivory towers separate from societal problems is no longer relevant. National challenges, from food security, energy, and digital transformation to the environment, law, democracy, and education, require science-based solutions. Almost no strategic issue can be resolved without the contribution of higher education. This is the meaning of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Education produces excellent human resources, research generates innovation, and community service ensures that knowledge provides real benefits. Therefore, the success of a university is not sufficiently measured by publications, accreditation, or international rankings, but also by the extent to which research outcomes can answer the nation’s needs.
The National Symposium also served as a reminder of the importance of unifying the direction of higher education development. Indonesia has thousands of campuses, millions of students, and hundreds of thousands of lecturers as a massive intellectual asset. This potential will have a greater impact if directed towards the national development agenda. Each university has different strengths. Technology campuses can drive industrial innovation, agricultural universities can strengthen food security, health campuses can improve healthcare services, law faculties can contribute to regulatory reform, while education, social sciences, and humanities faculties can strengthen the quality of human resources, democracy, and national character. These strengths must be built through inter-campus collaboration and synergy with the government, the business world, industry, and the community. Collaboration is the key to ensuring research results are applied more quickly and provide benefits for the people’s welfare.
The progress of a nation is ultimately determined by the quality of its intellectual resources. The experience of various countries shows that universities are centres of innovation, technology development, public policy, and economic competitiveness. Indonesia has a great asset in its network of universities across all regions. For this reason, campuses must not only be places to produce diplomas but also to generate solutions for problems in food, energy, education, health, the environment, governance, and democracy. The President’s challenge should be understood as an invitation to strengthen the relevance of higher education to national development. Academic independence is not diminished when a campus contributes to the country. On the contrary, independence finds its meaning when knowledge produces better policies, useful technology, and a more prosperous life for the people. The momentum of the National Symposium must strengthen the partnership between the state and higher education. The state provides space and support, while campuses present ideas, innovations, and solutions oriented towards the people’s interests. History shows that national progress is always born from the active involvement of intellectuals. For this reason, Indonesian universities must leave their comfort zone as mere producers of knowledge and emerge as strategic partners of the state in realising the constitutional mandate.