Minister: Universities Play Strategic Role in Producing Top Talent
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto emphasised that universities play a strategic role in producing outstanding talent, while also offering solutions to the nation’s various problems through education, research and impactful innovation.
During the series of events marking the 63nd anniversary of Universitas Darussalam (Unida) Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java, on Sunday, he affirmed that Indonesia needs human resources that are not only excellent in science but also possess integrity, good character and a spirit of benefiting society.
“This nation needs breakthroughs from universities. Not only scientific publications, but problems in the regions should be solved by the results of research, theses and dissertations from universities,” he said in a written statement.
Minister Brian commended the work of Pondok Modern Gontor, which for a century has consistently produced cadres of the nation with integrity and noble character.
According to him, amid the various challenges facing the nation, Indonesia increasingly needs leaders with strong character who are not easily tempted by personal interests.
He also emphasised that Gontor’s educational philosophy aligns with the direction of the Impactful Higher Education, Science and Technology (Diktisaintek Berdampak) policy, namely making knowledge a means of providing real benefits to society.
He expressed hope that Unida Gontor could become a driving force for development in Ponorogo Regency through innovations applied directly, ranging from waste management and agriculture to health and urban planning.
“An advanced university does not only produce graduates and scientific publications, but is also able to make a real contribution to its surrounding environment,” he said.
On the occasion, the Minister also welcomed the launch of the Unida Gontor Faculty of Medicine and expressed hope that the faculty would produce doctors with a spirit of service who are willing to serve in areas still lacking healthcare workers.
He further commended the 100 Doctorates for 100 Years of Gontor programme as a strategic step towards improving the quality of human resources at the university.
He affirmed that Indonesia’s progress can only be achieved if mastery of science and technology goes hand in hand with integrity, morality and religious values.
The Minister encouraged Unida Gontor to strengthen the downstreaming of research results through the development of startups and innovation-based industries so that academic works can deliver broader benefits to society.
“An advanced campus must have startups and industries that can serve as places to generate or continue innovative works on campus, so that they do not stop at books or written works, but are downstreamed into a more advanced industry,” he said.