President Prabowo Engages Professors to Solve National Issues
President Prabowo Subianto has stated that he is involving professors in various key positions within the government to help find solutions to the nation’s various challenges. Opening the Indonesia Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) in Jakarta on Friday (26/6), Prabowo noted that professors occupy important roles in the policy-making process across almost every strategic government sector.
“If you observe, I have included professors in very decisive positions in almost every key field of government,” he said.
Prabow explained that the nation’s objective is to realise a decent and prosperous life for its people. Therefore, the government must be capable of facing various challenges while simultaneously seeking solutions to the problems faced by the nation.
He noted that from the beginning, he has recognised the importance of the role of scientists and professors in state administration. On this basis, professors are involved in various fields that hold strategic and decisive roles.
Prabowo assessed that the success of a leader is not determined solely by the leader themselves, but also by the quality of the supporting team. He stated that a leader requires reliable human resources to achieve established goals.
As an illustration, Prabowo used success in sports to demonstrate that victory is not only determined by players, but also by the quality of management and the entire support team.
“If we want to win at football, we must have a good manager, a good coach, a good masseur, a good person to bring drinks, and the best eleven players; only then can we become champions. It is the same in all fields. It is not about the technology or the equipment, but the men and women behind that equipment,” he said.
Prabowo emphasised that the main factor determining success is not merely technology or equipment, but the quality of the human resources that operate and utilise them.
On this occasion, the President also expressed his appreciation for the organisation of the KSTI, which involves scientists and academics in discussing various national strategic issues.
The KSTI National Seminar takes place from 26–28 June 2026, carrying the theme “Strategies for Economic Independence and Indonesian Welfare”. The event includes symposia and panel discussions regarding agriculture, energy, economy and finance, food security, marine and fisheries, downstreaming, and industry.
On Saturday (27/6), US economist Jeffrey Sachs is scheduled to deliver a public lecture to thousands of lecturers from various universities in Indonesia.
The series of activities will conclude on Sunday (28/6) with the launch of the 2026 research roadmap and agenda by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, alongside Arif Satria. President Prabowo is scheduled to close the event at 10:00 WIB.
The Rector emphasised that the role of professors must extend beyond the classroom, encouraging their expertise to be implemented immediately for the public interest.
Led by Professor Muhammad Amri, this forum oversees approximately 70 diaspora professors from West Sulawesi who are currently teaching and working in various prominent universities in Indonesia.
At times, it is not uncommon for a university to inaugurate three, five, or even seven professors simultaneously.
In his scientific oration titled “Legal Character as the Foundation of National Civilisation”, Ary Ginanjar highlighted inequalities within the country’s legal education system.
IPB University is currently above the national target for the number of professors, with the proportion of professors exceeding 20% of the target set by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
The Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, emphasised the importance of deliberative discussion in resolving issues.
He suggested that Indonesia could emulate Malaysia’s approach to providing land to its citizens.