Minister: Unima Medical Faculty to Expand Access to Medical Education in Eastern Indonesia

Manado (ANTARA) - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, stated that the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Negeri Manado (Unima) in Tondano, North Sulawesi, is intended to expand equitable access to medical education in Eastern Indonesia. “A major investment has begun for the future of North Sulawesi. Doctors who are passionate, competent, dedicated, and humane will be able to provide the best service to the people of North Sulawesi,” the Minister said during the inauguration of the Unima Faculty of Medicine on Friday. The Minister emphasised that medical education plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for the community. The establishment of the faculty was an initiative and priority of President Prabowo Subianto, followed up through cooperation with the North Sulawesi provincial government and various parties. The Minister expressed appreciation for the synergy of the partners involved, particularly to North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus, all mayors and regents, the head of the Provincial Health Office, and the Rector of Universitas Brawijaya for successfully realising the faculty’s establishment. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is encouraging the new faculty to serve as a model for implementing transformative medical education aligned with impactful higher education policies. Governor Yulius Selvanus stated that the provincial government supports efforts to prepare doctors who are ready to serve and meet the healthcare needs of the Sulawesi region. “We have thought far ahead with the available budget. Students do not need to worry about anything else, just focus on studying. Let us find the funding for your education. But we also demand that you serve the people of North Sulawesi,” the Governor asserted. One transformative policy already implemented is the admission of new students who are the best talents from the North Sulawesi region, selected by the FK Pembina Universitas Brawijaya through transparent and accountable procedures. This selection model is expected to be replicated by other medical faculties in Indonesia to have a real impact on the equitable distribution of doctors. The Minister noted that all 50 new students were evenly distributed across cities, regencies, and the province, calling it an extraordinary achievement. He advised the new students to make the most of their educational scholarships and return to their home regions after completing their studies to strengthen local health services. Unima Rector Joseph Philip Kambey explained that the faculty has developed a strategy to ensure graduates are willing to return and serve in their home areas through a student admission process based on recommendations from district and city governments throughout North Sulawesi. “This recruitment scheme combines regional affirmative policies with strict national quality control. Through this mechanism, district and city governments select their best talents, who are then screened again using nationally standardised academic exams and rigorous psychological tests,” the Rector said. The Minister also urged higher education institutions to create solutions for regional problems and provide tangible impacts to the community through research and studies, suggesting the Governor could request solutions from university rectors in the North Sulawesi region to address various local issues.