UNS — The President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Ir. H. Joko Widodo (Jokowi) congratulate Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta that commemorate its 45th Anniversary this year. President Jokowi mentioned the number of challenges UNS must solve in the digital disruption era in the offline and online Academic Senate Open Session, Commemorating UNS 45th Anniversary broadcasted through UNS official YouTube channel Friday (12/3/2021).
“UNS 45 years journey is now challenged to make changes. Continue to create and innovate in the science and technology and crafting talents that will answer the challenges for humanity and the nation’s development,” President Jokowi stated.
In the session, President Jokowi delivered important messages for UNS after announced as Higher Education with Legal Entity (PTNBH) on 6 October 2020 through Governmental Decree (PP) Number 56 of 2020. His first message was the importance of timeliness, creativity, and innovation as the key to win global competitions. The President thinks that in the disruption era, universities cannot take the average steps.
“We should not be trapped with the mediocre ways. We cannot be held hostage by routines. New ways should be developed,” President Jokowi added.
Further, the 7th president of Indonesia stated that the Covid-19 pandemic brings significant changes. For example, the changes in budgeting and performance indicators that introduce new programs. President Jokowi also noted that the pandemic had taught us to break the old ways considered taboo that now becomes the new way of life. “Digitalization which is hard to introduce, now all institutions are demanded to apply it,” the President said.
The President is aware of the demand to align oneself with the development is not an easy task. But he considers this step as vital because the lack of willingness to transform will only invite the development to disrupt the old way.
“For a startup, new ways have become their business foundation from the start. But for an institution with 45 years old, I understand that it is often hard to introduce new ways,” the President added.
President Jokowi’s following message for UNS is around the quality of graduates. He said that university graduates must be capable, competent, and excellent for the benefit of humanity and the nation’s development. The existing technology development demands graduates who meet labor market needs that experience drastic changes and eliminates many job positions. President Jokowi considers changes in study programs, curriculum, and teachers’ characters are required to anticipate this trend.
“Industrial Revolution 4.0 has made old knowledge and technology go obsolete. The theory on management, organization, and business model has changed. Communication patterns and people behaviors have changed. Thus, the research agenda should also be updated,” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
