Education Ministry Partners with Universities to Elevate the Status of the Indonesian Language
The Language Development and Cultivation Agency (Badan Bahasa) of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is strengthening its partnership with universities to develop Indonesian language and literature, ensuring that Indonesian becomes more robust domestically and more widely recognised internationally.
This commitment was formalised through the signing of cooperation agreements with Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and Universitas Prima Indonesia (UNPRI). This serves as a strategic step to bring linguistic and literary development closer to the community through the role of higher education institutions.
The Head of the Language Development and Cultivation Agency, Hafidz Muksin, stated in Jakarta on Friday that synergy with universities is a tangible manifestation of the spirit of universal participation in achieving quality education for all.
“The agreement signed between Badan Bahasa and UMSU represents a commitment to collaboration and synergy between the Ministry and universities across various fields, such as BIPA (Indonesian for Foreign Speakers), the enhancement and strengthening of literacy, the dignification of the language, and community service,” he said.
He noted that, in addition to serving as centres for scientific development, universities possess the capacity to reach the public through education, research, and community service. Therefore, the involvement of universities is a vital component in expanding the impact of various linguistic and literacy programmes implemented by the government.
He added that language functions not only as a communication tool but also as a foundation for learning, the development of science, and character building. Consequently, the strengthening of the Indonesian language must proceed alongside the preservation of regional languages and the mastery of foreign languages.
“Through this collaboration, universities are expected to create academic spaces that position language as the foundation for learning, scientific development, and character formation. The mastery of Indonesian, foreign languages, and regional languages needs to grow in a balanced manner within the higher education environment,” Hafidz stated.
The collaboration between Badan Bahasa, UMSU, and UNPRI demonstrates that the development of Indonesian language and literature is a collective endeavour.