Launch of EBY EDU FAIR 2026: Ibas Pledges to Oversee Education Policy
Dozens of leading universities from various regions across Indonesia participated in the EBY EDU FAIR 2026. Thousands of students from high schools, vocational schools, Islamic high schools, and equivalent institutions in Trenggalek enthusiastically filled the Jabal Noor Hall from early morning to attend a series of activities featuring major consultations, campus introductions, scholarship information, and motivational sessions on personal development and future careers.
The event was directly attended by Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, as the main initiator of the programme. Ibas stated that education is the primary foundation for building a more advanced, strong, and competitive Indonesia. He reminded that the spirit of education has been affirmed in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, namely to ‘enlighten the nation’s life and advance the general welfare’.
“Today is a special day, our thoughts towards achieving our ideals, for a better and more advanced Indonesia,” said Ibas in his statement on Saturday (9/5/2026).
According to him, education is the right of all the nation’s children as guaranteed in Article 31 of the 1945 Constitution on the right to education and Article 28, which affirms every citizen’s right to develop themselves and obtain equal opportunities.
“Education is the right of all Indonesian citizens. Therefore, the state must be present to open up the widest possible access to education for the nation’s children,” he said.
He also appreciated the holding of the EBY EDU FAIR as a concrete form of encouraging the birth of a tough, knowledgeable, characterful golden generation of Indonesia capable of competing at the global level.
“The EBY EDU FAIR is part of our commitment to encourage Indonesia’s young generation to become a golden generation that is tough, knowledgeable, characterful, creative, and full of solutions for the nation’s future,” he said.
Furthermore, he invited students to become part of the solution in facing various national and global challenges, from poverty and unemployment to the rapid development of science, technology, science, and communication.
“We need a young generation that is not only smart but also able to provide solutions to national challenges, adapt to technology, and maintain strong character,” he explained.
Ibas also assessed that events like the EBY EDU FAIR are very important because they can connect the potential of students in the regions with leading universities from various parts of Indonesia. According to him, the linkage between the world of education and the needs of the workforce must continue to be strengthened. This is to create alignment between the competencies of graduates and the needs of industry and national development.
“Events like this bring together schools, parents, students, and universities so that our children have a clearer picture of the future that matches the needs of the times,” he revealed.
On that occasion, Ibas assured that he would continue to oversee various national education programmes so that their benefits can be felt by the community, especially students from low-income families. He mentioned that the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) and KIP College (KIP-K) programmes are one of the important instruments to ensure that no Indonesian child drops out of school due to economic limitations.
“We continue to oversee the KIP and KIP College programmes to ensure they are on target and truly help Indonesian children achieve higher education,” he explained.
In addition to education, he highlighted the importance of health and nutritional fulfilment for the young generation. According to him, the quality of education must go hand in hand with the quality of Indonesian children’s health through the government’s ongoing Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.
“Our children must not only be intelligent but also healthy, strong, and ready to compete in the future,” he said.
Ibas also advised students to continue to dare to dream big and not easily give up in facing life’s challenges.
Through the EBY EDU FAIR 2026, it is hoped that more young people in Trenggalek will have the courage to continue higher education, broaden their horizons, and prepare themselves to become superior human resources for a more advanced, prosperous, and globally competitive Indonesia.
“My message is, dream high and dream a lot. Not all dreams may be fulfilled, but other dreams might be achieved later. Work hard, study, keep honing yourself, bringing creativity and innovation full of solutions. And lastly, never give up, don’t ever surrender,” Ibas concluded.