Prabowo Addresses Academics for Second Time in Three Days at Science Convention

President Prabowo Subianto addressed an audience of lecturers and rectors for the second time in three days. Prabowo once again gave a briefing to the academics at the Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) on Sunday, 26 June 2026, after previously speaking at the same event on Friday. Approximately 2,600 lecturers, deans, and rectors attended the convention at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). The event was organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. During his speech, Prabowo said he had been monitoring the event throughout its three-day duration. “In general, I observed that the atmosphere was positive, an atmosphere of exchanging information and views,” he said during his address at the JCC on Sunday. According to Prabowo, the forum is a reflection that all of Indonesia’s potential must be united, especially in generating ideas, innovation, and initiatives for the common good. “For our survival, for the survival of the Indonesian nation,” he said. The Gerindra Party chairman stated that the world is becoming smaller due to science and technology. He noted that events occurring tens of thousands of kilometres from Indonesia can now affect life in the country. For this reason, Prabowo feels the need to meet frequently with lecturers and rectors. “I need to meet with smart people,” the former Minister of Defence said. On Friday, during the opening of KSTI 2026, Prabowo delivered a presentation lasting nearly five hours to the academics. His public briefing began around 4 p.m. Western Indonesia Time at the Jakarta Convention Center. After speaking for 30 minutes, Prabowo asked journalists to leave the room and continued his speech behind closed doors. The event was paused for a break just before 6 p.m. Afterwards, Prabowo continued speaking to the forum of lecturers until past 9 p.m., presenting material on a large screen in the hall. Most of the lecturers remained in the room throughout Prabowo’s address. “He was enthusiastic the whole time, five hours non-stop, it was extraordinary,” said Sukartiningsih, a lecturer from the Faculty of Forestry at Mulawarman University, who attended the forum from start to finish. According to Sukartini, Prabowo discussed Indonesia’s condition at length during the briefing. The President also talked about government programmes such as free nutritious meals, village cooperatives, and export policies. In addition, Prabowo shared stories from his life, including his youth and his time after completing his military service. “So, his youth was briefly shown,” Sukartini said. Sukartini noted that there was no question-and-answer session during the forum with Prabowo. “Because there were so many participants. But he reminded us not to forget that all our knowledge must be contributed to the progress of the Indonesian nation and state,” said the Vice Rector of Mulawarman University. The forum, titled “Sarasehan Kebangsaan” (National Gathering), which Prabowo attended, is part of the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention. The event was organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. KSTI is an initiative of President Prabowo that was first held at the Bandung Institute of Technology in August 2025.