President reminds universities are arenas for contesting ideas

President Prabowo Subianto has reminded that universities are arenas for contesting ideas as a form of academic freedom, not places for conflict. Speaking at the closing of the National Sarasehan of the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) in Jakarta on Sunday, President Prabowo said that as a large ship called Indonesia, it requires all its potential to unite in contributing thoughts and initiatives for the nation’s progress. “I said yesterday, we have different views, no problem. University is a place where ideas are contested. A contest of ideas, of views, of philosophy, of innovation. That is why the campus is said to have academic freedom,” he said. He urged universities to remain active in dedicating themselves to the fields of science and technology that can benefit the general public. This dedication is important considering that public money contributes to the development of universities in Indonesia, not only for government-managed universities but also private ones. The President reminded that the private sector also receives various subsidies derived from public taxes, including electricity and fuel oil subsidies. Prabowo assured that every proposal received would be considered, and those deemed good would be followed up. He also joked that he not only listens to advice and input from professors, but also from children in villages conveyed through social media. Some of the input already received by the President includes doctoral scholarships for lecturers from both public and private universities, allocation of State-Owned Enterprise profits for research and innovation funding, cooperation between Indonesian campuses and foreign institutions, and strategies for processing raw materials into finished products. “At a glance, I read and heard many excellent proposals. They are very sensible and we will follow them up immediately,” said Prabowo Subianto.