Government Says URI Adopts French Model, Aimed at Producing Future Leaders

President Prabowo Subianto has established the University of the Republic of Indonesia (URI), led by URI Governor Donny Ermawan. Donny stated that the formation of URI adopts the French educational institution that produces future leaders. “So it will be integrated, from excellent high school graduates, then they will enter higher education, and then enter government or state-owned enterprises,” said Donny Ermawan after being inaugurated by Prabowo at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/7/2026). The establishment of URI, according to Donny, replicates what the French government did by forming the École nationale d’administration, or ENA. The institution is now called the Institut National du Service Public, or INSP. France founded the institution in 1945 under Charles de Gaulle to democratise access to the senior civil service. The INSP functions as France’s top-tier civil service training school, where many of its graduates have become presidents, ministers, and senior state officials. “And this is what he has initiated, just as our neighbouring countries also have institutions like the one we are creating, such as in France, which we know as ENA or now INSP, where several high-ranking French officials are also graduates of that school,” said the Deputy Minister of Defence. Donny hopes URI can adopt what is done and produced by France’s INSP. URI will oversee and integrate three educational bodies. “So, it is hoped that it will be like that as well, we will educate, train both their character and their thinking, we will instil managerial skills in them so they can become future leaders. So that is roughly what I need to convey about what this institution is, what is meant by this URI and BPPK,” he added. Prabowo previously officially inaugurated Donny Ermawan as Governor of the University of the Republic of Indonesia. Prabowo also inaugurated Yos Sunitiyoso as Deputy Governor of the University of the Republic of Indonesia. The inauguration was held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/7), alongside Sudaryono, who was also inaugurated as Head of the National Nutrition Agency. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and several members of the Red and White Cabinet also attended the inauguration.