Receiving UGM Audience, AHY Emphasises Role of Universities in Development
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), emphasised the importance of the role of higher education institutions in supporting research-based national development, innovation, and the strengthening of human resources.
AHY asserted that national development requires solid orchestration and coordination among ministries and institutions, given the complexity of Indonesia’s challenges as an archipelagic nation with diverse regional characteristics.
“The Coordinating Ministry has the responsibility to orchestrate various ministries and institutions. This is not a simple matter, because our development is highly complex and requires strong cross-sectoral coordination,” said AHY in a written statement on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
The statement was delivered by AHY when receiving an audience from the Faculty of Forestry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) at the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure office on Monday (13/4).
The meeting discussed strengthening collaboration between the government and academia in promoting sustainable development, particularly in the forestry sector, environmental living, and natural resource management.
The audience was led by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry UGM, Sigit Sunarta, along with faculty members. On that occasion, several initiatives and programmes were conveyed, including plans to strengthen research collaboration and international agendas related to biodiversity conservation.
Furthermore, AHY explained that forestry issues cannot be separated from agrarian and spatial planning matters that often create dynamics on the ground. According to him, these issues are fundamental because they relate to legal certainty and a sense of justice in society.
“Forestry and agrarian problems are often very fundamental, concerning justice and legal certainty. Conflicts can occur between communities, corporations, or the state, so strong collaboration is needed to provide sustainable solutions,” he emphasised.
Furthermore, AHY conveyed that the government is promoting two main agendas in development, namely prosperity and sustainability. According to him, both agendas must run in balance so that development not only drives economic growth but also preserves the environment.
“We are promoting two major agendas, namely how to deliver prosperity while maintaining sustainability. Infrastructure must be able to support food, energy, and water security, as well as strengthening human resources,” he explained.
He also emphasised the importance of the contribution of higher education institutions in supporting development through research, innovation, and strengthening human resource capacity, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The role of academics is considered crucial in formulating data-based policies and practical solutions in the field.
Concluding his statement, AHY affirmed that development progress must still be based on efforts to maintain the sustainability of the earth as a shared living space.
“We may talk about exploration even to outer space, but in the end, we all want to remain living on this earth. Therefore, managing and conserving natural resources responsibly is very important for the future,” he concluded.