Prabowo Urges Universities to Become Engines of Innovation
President Prabowo Subianto is encouraging universities to strengthen their role as spaces for the development of science, technology, and innovation that provide tangible benefits to society.
This was stated by Prabowo when closing the 2026 National Seminar on Science, Technology, and Industry on Sunday (28/6).
Prabowo emphasised that campuses possess academic freedom that must be protected. However, he noted that this freedom should be interpreted as a space to develop knowledge, exchange ideas, and produce constructive thinking.
“Campuses have academic freedom. Academic freedom. Not other types of freedom, especially not making the campus a place for [destructive] thought or, shall we say, opposition,” said Prabowo.
He assessed that differences in perspective are a natural part of academic life. Campuses, he said, are indeed places where various ideas, views, philosophies, and innovations are tested through discussion and argumentation.
“This is what we want; we are in one large ship called the NKRI (Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia). I said yesterday, we have different views, there is no problem. Universities are places where ideas are pitted against each other, views are debated, philosophies are contested, and innovations are tested,” he remarked.
Prabowo then invited higher education institutions to focus more on the development of science and technology that directly impacts the people. He reminded that the implementation of higher education is also supported by the community through the state.
“Let campuses actively engage in science and technology to provide benefits to the people who fund these campuses. The people who fund all educational institutions,” he said.
On that occasion, Prabowo also touched upon the importance of the responsibility of all elements of the nation to return the greatest benefits to the community. In his view, it is not only educational institutions that receive state support, but the private sector also enjoys various facilities sourced from public funds, such as electricity and fuel subsidies.
“The private sector plays a very important role. But the private sector also enjoys public money, from electricity subsidies to fuel subsidies, through all the efforts we undertake. So, my brothers, this is what it means to be part of a nation,” he concluded.
Amidst the rapid development of artificial intelligence, increasing digital literacy and critical thinking skills are becoming essential competencies that prospective educators must possess.
President Prabowo Subianto has requested the Head of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, to ensure that universities in Indonesia produce human resources that meet the needs of strategic industries.
Prabowo requested that higher education institutions prepare graduates in accordance with the requirements of national strategic industries.