Prabowo Wants Monthly Meetings with Professors and Rectors for Policy Input

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that he wants to meet more frequently with rectors and professors to obtain their input in efforts to advance the welfare of the Indonesian people. “In my view, meeting with rectors four times is nothing yet. If necessary, we should meet every month,” Prabowo said whilst closing the National Sarasehan of the Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) in Jakarta on Sunday, 28 June 2026. The President noted that technological developments have brought countries closer together, meaning conflicts in other parts of the world can impact Indonesia. Therefore, the government requires the perspectives of academics in formulating policy. He added that as Head of State, he needs to engage in discussions with many intelligent people to exchange views on various national issues. During the occasion, Prabowo received several proposals from rectors, lecturers, researchers, scientists, and higher education representatives. These included doctoral scholarships for lecturers at both public and private universities, increased allocation of state-owned enterprise (BUMN) funds for research and innovation, and strengthened cooperation between Indonesian higher education institutions and foreign institutions. “I will follow up immediately. Because I believe that difficulties must be faced, and we must be brave enough to face difficulties, brave enough to acknowledge difficulties, and work hard to find solutions to those difficulties,” the President said. Prabowo also quipped that not only the professors’ suggestions would be heeded, but also input from the public, including from village children conveyed through social media. The KSTI National Sarasehan took place from 26 to 28 June 2026, carrying the theme ‘Strategy for Indonesia’s Economic Independence and Welfare’. The event included symposiums and panel discussions on agriculture, energy, economy and finance, food security, marine and fisheries, downstreaming, and industry. The gathering was attended by around 2,600 rectors, lecturers, researchers, scientists, and higher education representatives, together with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).