Unpatti: Higher education is the backbone of national self-reliance

The Rector of Pattimura University (Unpatti), Prof Fredy Leiwakabessy, has affirmed that higher education plays a strategic role as the backbone of national self-reliance through the strengthening of science, research, and technological innovation.

“Higher education must not only produce graduates who hold degrees, but must be able to generate ideas, research, and innovation that provide solutions to the needs of society and drive the progress of national industry,” said Fredy in Ambon on Tuesday.

He made the statement in line with the mandate of the Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology at the ceremony marking the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to him, the theme “A Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia” must be interpreted by higher education institutions as a call to strengthen their contribution to building superior human resources while producing knowledge and technology that can support national self-reliance.

Therefore, he said, the strengthening of the research and innovation ecosystem must continue through collaboration between higher education institutions, the government, the business world, industry, and society.

“The excellence of a higher education institution must be measured by the extent to which the knowledge and innovation it produces are able to answer the nation’s problems, including the needs of communities in the regions,” he said.

He assessed that the context of Maluku, with its archipelagic characteristics, also requires the contribution of higher education institutions in producing solutions based on local potential and problems, ranging from the marine and fisheries sector, food, health, energy, to environmental management.

According to Fredy, the strengthening of academic and research capacity must go hand in hand with increasing the relevance of higher education to the development needs of the region and the nation.

“Unpatti must continue to strengthen its role as a centre for the development of science and innovation that provides real benefits for Maluku and Indonesia,” he said.