Minister: President wants universities involved in Giant Sea Wall construction
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto has emphasised that President Prabowo Subianto is prioritising the direct involvement of universities in the Giant Sea Wall construction project.
Speaking to ANTARA in Jakarta on Sunday, Minister Brian Yuliarto confirmed that the President always requests that Indonesian universities and researchers be involved from the outset in every national strategic project, including the Giant Sea Wall.
“The President’s questions are almost always the same. Who has calculated it? Where has it been tested? And which of our experts is handling it? He has also stressed that there must be no investment without technology transfer. The meaning is clear: our universities must be on the inside, not watching from the outside,” said the Minister.
For the Giant Sea Wall project, his ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) positioning universities as centres of excellence and providers of multidisciplinary expertise.
“And this does not stop at studies. Professors and experts are directly involved in the implementation team led by the Head of the North Coast of Java Management Authority,” said Minister Brian.
He also noted that some of the technology had already been tested by universities, including successful trials in Demak and Semarang.
President Prabowo Subianto has previously stated his determination to begin construction of the Giant Sea Wall along the northern coast of Java during his administration, given that the project requires a long time to complete, with projections of up to 20 years.
If construction is carried out simultaneously, President Prabowo believes the completion of the entire project could be reduced from 20 years.
“The Giant Sea Wall project will take 15 to 20 years to complete. This is a long time. I do not know which president will inaugurate it. But I am determined that the Eighth President will start this project,” he said during the Government’s Introductory Statement on the Draft Law on the 2027 State Budget and its Financial Notes on Friday (14/8).