UNS — The President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) Joko Widodo (Jokowi), asked public universities not to limit their student’s ability because the pandemic has pushed great technology transformation. This reminder was delivered by the President on the opening of the Council of Rector of Indonesian State University (CRISU) meeting held in the Faculty of Medical Science (FK) Hall Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta on Monday (13/9/2021).
The President also mentioned that the pandemic had created uncertain conditions in the community, and university students are demanded to be adaptable and innovative in adjusting to the newest technology trend. Therefore, the universities need to facilitate their students in developing their talents and change the old patterns. “Don’t limit your students with the existing programs in the faculties. I already reminded, and I will continue to remind (you),” President Jokowi stated.
He also emphasized that universities should provide opportunities for their students to learn new knowledge outside their programs. The President stated that at some point, university students might felt that their program is not a match for them and hopes that students could pursue careers according to students’ individual talents. He mentioned that students’ selection on their program and faculty often is not based on their talents, and they will feel it once they are studying. “We know that people could have careers far from their bachelor diploma. I often use Budy Gunadi Sadikin as an example. In ITB, he studies Nuclear Physics, but work in a bank and become the President Director of Bank Mandiri and Minister of Health,” President Jokowi said.
Therefore, he asked the rectors of the public universities to give freedom for their students to learn. In the future, university graduates are predicted to work in a professional career, and the President hopes students could use the freedom in learning to learn something outside their programs and university, especially in terms of technology and language. “Truly unexpected changes pushed by the pandemic that demands us to enter the transition quickly and start to adapt with this kind of thing. We need to get prepared to learn again,” President Jokowi stated.
Rector’s Responsibilities do not Stop at in Campus Education
In his opening remark, the President mentioned that a rector’s duty is not only teaching their student in the campus, but they are also responsible for teaching students outside the campus. The President wants that rectors do not only share their knowledge in the classroom and let their students get used to monotonous activities. He added that teachers should be honest with their students that learning materials will continue to change and do not let students learning outdated materials. President Jokowi also emphasized that public university rectors need to shape leading and well-behaved students who will not have contradictory actions inside and outside the campus.
“University has a task to shape and create students that are leading and well-behaved, healthy physically and mentally, have good manner, and nationalism. (If students) become a drugs addict outside the campus, what’s for? If we could not teach (students). On the campus (they) learn about Pancasila and civil education, but outside the campus, they become extremist. What’s for? So lastly, the responsibility of a rector lies inside and outside their campus,” the President explained.
The visit to UNS is the last agenda in the President’s visit to Central Java Province. The Presdient attended CRISU meeting with the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) RI Nadiem Makarim, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, and Surakarta Major Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The President was welcomed directly by the Chairman of CRISU and Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, and the Coordinating Minister of Human Resource Development and Culture (PMK) RI, Prof. Muhadjir Effendy. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti