Ministry of Social Affairs and UIN Palu sign MoU on social welfare implementation

Palu (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Mensos) and Datokarama State Islamic University (UIN) in Palu have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Social Welfare Implementation to accelerate poverty alleviation efforts. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, speaking in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Monday, emphasised the important role of higher education institutions in addressing various social issues, including the acceleration of poverty eradication. He stated that universities like UIN Datokarama play a strategic role in supporting the implementation of community empowerment and assistance programmes, particularly to speed up improvements in the welfare of communities below the poverty line. The MoU signing took place at the UIN Datokarama’s 1000 Dreams Campus during the 46th Graduation Ceremony for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Palu, Central Sulawesi. The Minister stressed that knowledge must not be limited to the academic realm but should be implemented to address real problems in society. Universities, he said, have a moral responsibility to participate in the social development process. He noted that poverty remains one of the nation’s main challenges, requiring integrated cross-sector handling. Therefore, strong collaboration between the government and universities is needed to strengthen social welfare programmes to make them more targeted and sustainable. The MoU’s scope of cooperation includes the implementation of social welfare programmes such as social rehabilitation, social protection and security, and social empowerment. Additionally, the cooperation encompasses the development of policy models, strategies, and social welfare programmes in education, training, and community service; exchange and utilisation of data and/or information; support for programmes and activities; and coordination of task implementation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. He explained that the cooperation focuses on vulnerable groups, one of which is former terrorism convicts (eks napiter) who need ongoing assistance, protection, and empowerment. “We invite them to reintegrate, campaign for love of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and strengthen the spirit of harmony and togetherness,” he said. He added that in terms of empowerment, the Ministry of Social Affairs will adjust interventions according to needs, whether through vocational skills training or business capital support. “If they want to become skilled workers, we provide training; if they want to start a business, we provide capital. Everything is based on needs assessment,” he said. Meanwhile, UIN Datokarama Rector Prof Lukman Thahir stated that the presence of the Indonesian Social Affairs Minister in Palu and the signing of the MoU represent the state’s commitment to strengthening poverty alleviation efforts and social safety nets in Central Sulawesi. “UIN Datokarama is committed to supporting the Ministry of Social Affairs in providing ongoing community assistance and guidance, including for community groups in deradicalisation partner programmes,” he said.