Prabowo Urges Universities to Become Engines of Innovation

President Prabowo Subianto is encouraging higher education institutions to strengthen their role as spaces for developing science, technology, and innovation that provide real benefits to society. He made the remarks while closing the National Discourse at the 2026 Science, Technology, and Industry Convention on Sunday (28/6). Prabowo stressed that universities possess academic freedom which must be safeguarded. However, he believes this freedom should be interpreted as a space to develop knowledge, exchange ideas, and generate constructive thinking. “Campuses have academic freedom. Academic freedom, not other kinds of freedom, let alone campuses becoming places for thinking or, shall we say, opposition,” said Prabowo. He considered differences of opinion to be a normal part of academic life. Campuses, he said, are indeed places where various ideas, views, philosophies, and innovations are tested through discussion and debate. “This is what we want, we are on one big ship called the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. As I said yesterday, we have different views, no problem. The university is a place where ideas are contested, a contest of ideas, a contest of views, a contest of philosophies, a contest of innovations,” he stated. Prabowo then invited higher education institutions to focus more on developing science and technology that have a direct impact on the people. He reminded them that the operation of higher education is also supported by the public through the state. “Let campuses actively engage in science and technology to provide benefits to the people who fund those campuses. Who fund all educational institutions,” he said. On that occasion, Prabowo also touched on the importance of the responsibility of all elements of the nation to return the greatest possible benefit to the community. According to him, it is not only educational institutions that receive state support, but the private sector also enjoys various facilities sourced from public money, such as electricity and fuel subsidies. “The private sector plays a very important role. But the private sector also enjoys the people’s money. From electricity subsidies, fuel subsidies, with all the efforts we make. So, brothers and sisters, this is statehood,” he concluded.