Deputy Minister: Universities Must Become Hubs for Solving Society’s Problems
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) – Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Professor Fauzan said universities across Indonesia, and Syiah Kuala University (USK) in particular, must transform into problem-solving centres that address the many challenges facing society.
“Universities should not be ivory towers, but water towers that bring relief and benefit to everyone,” Fauzan said in a keynote address at the open session marking USK’s 65th anniversary at AAC Dayan Dawood in Banda Aceh on Monday.
He said universities must make a tangible difference to all sections of society by making campuses part of the social fabric and an equal partner in development alongside local government, businesses and industry.
“The concept of an impactful campus means that it is genuinely present as a centre for solutions, addressing the various problems in society. This is a major challenge for all of us, but I believe universities already have an instrument for this: the Tridharma,” he said, referring to the three pillars of higher education: education, research and community service.
According to Fauzan, the Tridharma must be designed as a programme of action that makes a real contribution to the problems communities face, including unemployment, poverty and other issues.
“Universities must, of course, think in terms of solutions. That is what it means to have an impact,” he said.
He said he hoped USK, with the strengths it had built up, would continue to progress and have a greater impact on the people of Aceh. The university is known as the “Jantong Hatee” (the heart) of the Acehnese people.
Fauzan also praised USK’s achievements over its 65 years, saying they provided a foundation for broader and more meaningful contributions in the future. He said USK’s involvement in various fields, including disaster response in Aceh, was an important asset to develop further.
He said his ministry had piloted a programme in East Nusa Tenggara in 2025 to strengthen universities’ contribution by establishing a consortium so that communities could feel the benefits of their presence.
“The 22 universities there are working with the local government to make a tangible contribution to jointly addressing stunting, poverty and unemployment,” he said.
Fauzan also called on universities in Aceh to form a consortium and work with all stakeholders to resolve the province’s problems one by one.
The event, opened by USK Rector Professor Mirza Tabrani, was attended by Board of Trustees chair Safrizal ZA, regional leadership coordination forum representatives and USK officials.