Unair Expert Council Commits to Providing Policy Recommendations for Government
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The Expert Council of Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Surabaya is committed to becoming a hub for academic thought, generating recommendations for both central and regional government policy.
“I want this Expert Council to play a good, strategic role while also making tangible contributions. One way is through the preparation of policy papers and recommendations that can be addressed to the central or regional governments,” said Chairman of the Unair Expert Council and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), in a statement in Surabaya on Wednesday.
The council is expected to take on a strategic role by channelling ideas, studies, and research results from academics to support national development. He noted that academics and researchers at universities play a crucial part in providing the data, scientific studies, and research findings that can form the basis of government policy-making.
He stressed that the government requires input from the academic community to ensure policies are well-targeted and beneficial to the public. “We recognise the importance of input from the campus community, academics, and researchers for a government that must make decisions every day,” he said.
Furthermore, the Unair Expert Council will promote the creation of a strategic forum involving various stakeholders, including the younger generation. This forum will serve as a space for discussing a range of national and international issues developing within society.
“We want to present a strategic forum that involves not only the internal Expert Council or the Unair Alumni Association, but also various stakeholders and the younger generation,” he stated.
AHY believes that universities make a significant contribution to generating ideas and thoughts for national development. He also expressed appreciation for Universitas Airlangga’s achievements, which continue to show improved rankings in the QS World University Rankings.
On the occasion, AHY mentioned that he carries two roles simultaneously, as a member of the government and as part of the Unair family. He affirmed that all efforts of the Expert Council remain guided by the spirit of the three pillars of higher education, particularly community service.