House Commission X: Prabowo's Speech at KSTI Shows Positive Steps for Higher Education and Research
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Lalu Hadrian Irfani, believes that President Prabowo Subianto’s speech during the National Seminar of the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) represents a positive step forward.
According to Lalu, the President’s briefing reflects his commitment to Indonesia’s higher education sector, including research and innovation. “He conveyed his commitment and expressed great concern for the development of education, not only at the primary and secondary levels but also in higher education,” he stated at the DPR Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
The President, according to Lalu, emphasised his commitment to ensuring that Indonesia’s human resource potential is utilised to its maximum capacity for national development. This aligns with the strategic mission of the ‘Astacita’ programme of the Prabowo administration.
The legislator specialising in education also welcomed the plan to increase research funding by Rp4 trillion. This funding is considered vital, given that the advancement of science and technology requires significant support. However, Lalu expressed hope that the research budget could be increased to between Rp7 trillion and Rp8 trillion, as research spans many sectors and must be precisely targeted.
“Ideally, it should be around Rp7 to Rp8 trillion, but once again, we must consider our fiscal condition. If for 2026 it is Rp4 trillion, that is fine, but for 2027, we hope it can increase, perhaps even exceeding Rp7 to Rp8 trillion,” he said.
Furthermore, Lalu emphasised Commission X’s commitment to overseeing government programmes in the fields of higher education, research, and innovation, starting from the planning stage.
Speaking during the opening of the KSTI National Seminar in Jakarta on Friday afternoon (26/6), President Prabowo expressed his conviction that a nation can grow into a developed country by leveraging the potential and capabilities of its academics and scientists. Addressing 2,600 academics, scientists, researchers, and leaders from both public and private universities, President Prabowo inspired the academic community to direct their thoughts, findings, and innovations towards national progress and public welfare.
“I have always believed that professors are the smartest individuals in a country. Therefore, if a country wants to rise and progress, it must utilise and mobilise the potential and capabilities of campuses and universities,” the President said.
The President also attended the closing of the seminar on Sunday (28/6). On that occasion, Prabowo expressed his desire to meet more frequently with rectors and professors to obtain input for efforts to advance Indonesian society. The President noted that technological developments have tightened international relations, meaning conflicts in other parts of the world can impact Indonesia. Consequently, the government requires perspectives from the academic community when formulating policies.
Meanwhile, the State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, stated after the seminar’s conclusion that President Prabowo has provided instructions to increase the research budget by approximately Rp4 trillion. The research roadmap will be coordinated between the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
“The research roadmap, as mentioned, has been produced; the core principle is that all current research must be part of one grand design,” said the State Secretary.