Minister Urges Hasanuddin University to Spearhead Human Resource Development in Eastern Indonesia

Makassar (ANTARA) - Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara is encouraging universities, particularly Hasanuddin University (Unhas), to take a greater role in delivering superior human resources to remote areas, especially in eastern Indonesia.

Speaking in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday, Minister Iftitah assessed that Unhas holds a strategic position as a centre of excellence for education, science, and technology in the eastern Indonesia region.

“I see an extraordinary spirit from Unhas. I view it as an epicentre, a centre of excellence in eastern Indonesia, which wants to build eastern Indonesia so that it does not lag behind the west,” he said after attending the Unhas New Student Campus Life Introduction (PKKMB) event.

He admitted to still encountering various problems on the ground, including the presence of foreigners conducting business activities in several regions without the knowledge of the local community or government.

“I have also seen firsthand in the field that many foreigners are doing business and coming to remote parts of Indonesia without our knowledge. In fact, some of it is quite illegal,” said Minister Iftitah.

Minister Iftitah stated that these issues are a shared responsibility between the government and the education sector.

According to him, universities are considered insufficient if they only carry out their educational function, but they also need to be present to provide solutions to the problems faced by society.

“I am confident that Hasanuddin University will one day become a beacon of education, science, and technology in eastern Indonesia,” said Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara.