Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology directs universities to support "Giant Sea Wall"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto has reaffirmed the commitment to mobilising the role of universities and the research ecosystem in supporting the construction of the Giant Sea Wall along Java’s north coast, based on science, technology, and innovation.
“This is indeed a major challenge, but it also opens up strategic opportunities for the development of national science, technology, and industry. We need precise hydrodynamic modelling, adaptive coastal construction technology, material innovations, and a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economics of coastal communities,” said the Minister of Higher Education in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Minister Brian stated that his ministry is currently encouraging professors, lecturers, and researchers at various universities to conduct relevant research, both in technological and socio-community aspects.
He also emphasised the importance of national technological mastery in the Giant Sea Wall construction, in line with the President’s directives.
“We want this construction to also serve as a means of technology transfer and mastery by the nation’s children through universities. In the future, we hope that Indonesia will not only be capable of building but also recognised as the owner of sea wall development technology,” said Minister Brian.
It is known that the Giant Sea Wall construction is a direct directive from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and is also a Strategic National Project (PSN) to protect Java’s north coast from the threats of land subsidence and rising sea levels.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed to strengthen the commitment of the Ministry of Higher Education in mobilising university contributions as centres of excellence and encouraging the utilisation of research and innovation results for coastal infrastructure development.
This step also aims to provide multidisciplinary expert personnel and integrate education, research, and community service in the national strategic project.
Several universities such as Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Diponegoro University (Undip), and Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) have been actively involved in providing expert personnel, technical studies, and technology development.
This involvement aligns with the direction of the impactful Diktisaintek policy, which emphasises that higher education, science, and technology must provide real contributions in solving the nation’s strategic problems.
In the future, the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding is expected to accelerate the integration of policies and field implementation, while strengthening the role of universities as the driving force of knowledge-based solutions for national development.