Government pushes for strengthening universities to develop regions in Kalimantan

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is encouraging the strengthening of higher education quality in Kalimantan as part of efforts to develop the regions on that Thousand Rivers Island.

This commitment was expressed during the Coordination Meeting of Higher Education Leaders across Kalimantan, organised by the Higher Education Service Agency (LLDikti) Region XI in the Nusantara Capital (IKN) on Saturday (9/5).

“The quality of higher education in Kalimantan is one of our shared priorities. This forum not only brings together stakeholders but more than that, it binds the determination and collective spirit for a noble goal, namely to improve the quality of higher education in Kalimantan,” said Acting Secretary General of Kemdiktisaintek Badri Munir Sukoco in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

Badri emphasised the importance of implementing the Main Performance Indicators (IKU) for higher education institutions as an instrument for transforming higher education with impact.

He views IKU as a strategic direction for institutional development that encourages more measurable higher education governance.

To support this, Kemdiktisaintek offers three main strategies: strengthening impactful academic collaboration and research, enhancing productive cooperation with industry and strategic partners, and bolstering talent and integrity in higher education governance.

In agreement, Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) Hetifah Sjaifudian affirmed that the results of the coordination meeting will serve as important input for improving national higher education policies.

According to Hetifah, improving the quality and competence of higher education is a necessity. This can only be achieved if we synergise to enhance academic quality, strengthen research and innovation.