Zulkifli Hasan Urges Pattimura University Students to Enhance Human Resource Quality
Ambon (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, has encouraged students of Pattimura University (Unpatti) Ambon to improve the quality of human resources so they can generate ideas and solutions for the development of Maluku and Indonesia.
“Universities must be places for discussion and for critiquing policy. We must learn quickly, because the nation’s problems require rapid solutions,” he said while delivering a public lecture at the Unpatti Rectorate Hall in Ambon on Wednesday.
According to him, higher education holds a strategic position in preparing the younger generation to not only master scientific knowledge but also to understand and find solutions to various national issues. He encouraged students not to merely accept every government policy, but to actively question the root of problems and offer alternative solutions based on science.
“Pattimura University is one of the best campuses in eastern Indonesia. Therefore, I hope students can become part of the solution to the nation’s problems,” he stated.
He noted that the food sector is directly linked to the lives of communities that depend on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and various other food-related enterprises. “They are our brothers, they are our family, they are part of us. We must not pretend not to know. Farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders are part of us that we must defend,” he said.
According to him, the effort to achieve food self-sufficiency is a vital step in increasing the welfare of those working in the food sector, including farmers. He added that dependency on imports could potentially pressure domestic farmers, as their production may struggle to find market absorption when foreign products enter the domestic market.
He expressed hope that Unpatti students could utilise their education as a space to strengthen critical thinking abilities while building empathy for societal issues.
The Rector of Unpatti Ambon, Fredy Leiwakabessy, stated that the university is ready to support the government in strengthening food security in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s ‘Asta Cita’ programme, particularly through the development of marine and fishery potential.
He explained that Unpatti possesses a Marine Station covering approximately 12 hectares in Hila Village, Leihitu District, Central Maluku Regency, which is equipped with several facilities to support the development of the marine and fisheries sectors. “There are breeding ponds, cultivation ponds, floating net cages, cold storage, and ice factories, but all of them are not yet functional,” he said.
According to him, these facilities could serve as a base for research, education, and productivity in the marine and fisheries sector if supported by capacity building and increased funding. He hoped that government support through food sector programmes could help optimise these facilities so that Unpatti produces not only high-quality graduates but also contributes directly to solving food issues in Maluku.
Fredy added that Unpatti operates under the scientific principle of “Marine Glory” (Bina Mulia Kelautan), supported by human resources and infrastructure that can be developed to strengthen food security based on marine resources. He also noted that the 2026 intake of new students at Unpatti holds great hope to become future national leaders. Therefore, the educational process over the next four years is directed towards forming graduates who possess the competence to contribute to development. “We hope they will graduate as high-quality scholars to build Indonesia towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision,” he concluded.