UNJ and Billy Mambrasar to Develop Papua Human Resources Education
Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and Papua Executive Committee Member and Economic Policy Researcher at the ASEAN Competitiveness Study Centre of Batam State Polytechnic, Billy Mambrasar, have agreed to strengthen collaboration in developing education and human resources in Papua. The two parties are developing the Affirmative Education Program (ADik), providing scholarships for Papuan students, and planning teacher training programmes and educational strengthening in Mappi Regency, South Papua.
UNJ reported that over recent years, the university has provided scholarships and educational mentoring to hundreds of students from Papua. The programmes implemented focus not only on increasing academic capacity but also on character building, leadership, communication skills, digital literacy, and student readiness for the workforce.
The collaboration between Billy Mambrasar and Universitas Negeri Jakarta is not the first of its kind. In 2020, Billy collaborated with UNJ to assist Papuan students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, Billy provided financial assistance and support for Papuan students facing difficulties during the pandemic period.
As the first Papuan to graduate from Harvard University, Billy Mambrasar is known for his consistent efforts to drive Papua’s human resource development through education. During the audience, Billy expressed his appreciation for the commitment of Universitas Negeri Jakarta in supporting the improvement of educational quality for the younger generation of Papua.
According to Billy, the sustainable development of Papua must begin with the development of its people. Therefore, investment in education, character building, and increasing the competence of the younger generation is a vital foundation for creating superior and competitive Papuan human resources.
“Education is a long-term investment that will determine the future of Papua. Therefore, I appreciate UNJ’s steps in not only providing access to education but also providing comprehensive mentoring for Papuan students so they are ready to become leaders and agents of development in their region,” said Billy Mambrasar during the meeting held in Jakarta on Monday (8/6/2026).
As a follow-up to the meeting, Billy Mambrasar and Universitas Negeri Jakarta plan to visit Mappi Regency in July 2026. The visit will include motivational activities for Papuan students and the launch of a teacher training programme as an effort to improve the quality of education in the region.
Billy Mambrasar reaffirmed President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to accelerating development in Papua.
Billy also recommended that the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, develop a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system for university rectors.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, emphasised the government’s steps to ensure all Indonesian children continue to have access to proper education, including in remote areas.