Deputy minister urges universities to develop solutions to local problems

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) – Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Fauzan has urged universities to develop solutions to help resolve problems faced by local areas, beginning with a thorough process of identifying those problems.

“Each university should examine the problems in its area and identify what they are. From there, universities are expected to get directly involved in addressing them,” Fauzan said after attending the Living Lab Summit 2026: National Seminar and Living Lab Exhibition in Malang, East Java, on Friday.

He said local problems vary in complexity and therefore require appropriate approaches to resolve them. Universities’ involvement in finding solutions to local challenges is part of implementing the Kampus Berdampak (Impactful Campus) initiative.

“Given the intensity, quality and quantity of problems in local areas, I think that is the way to approach it,” he said.

Fauzan said the Living Lab Summit 2026 was intended to strengthen universities’ role and increase their contribution to addressing problems in local communities.

Meanwhile, Brawijaya University Rector Professor Widodo said universities had a responsibility to explore, develop and apply knowledge appropriately to help address local problems, particularly issues central to communities.

“They also provide the public with skills to develop products such as corn, among other things,” he said.

However, he said local problems could not be resolved through one or two activities alone, but required sustained efforts.

“That is why we work with many stakeholders, because we cannot solve these problems on our own,” Fauzan said.