The ‘Capital Ship’ analogy was mentioned by President Jokowi because, at the age of 46 years, UNS already had about 40,000 students. This fact is known after President Jokowi asked the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho. “There are 40,000 students now, and it is equal to an aircraft carrier. It is enormous,” said President Jokowi.

However, the former Mayor of Surakarta asked UNS to be careful. The reason is that a vessel with a larger and wider body certainly requires a lot of effort to change direction or to take a turn. He hoped that UNS would be able to make significant changes even though it has an aircraft carrier status, as he said. President Jokowi also left a message for UNS to make changes quickly according to the needs of the times.

President Jokowi does not want the knowledge delivered by universities to students to be no longer relevant to real-life conditions. He wants UNS to answer this challenge by preparing the digitally literate Human Resources (HR). “To get there, what should we prepare? Indeed, we’re going to have to go all out. I want to remind UNS right at this time,” added President Jokowi.

Revamping Old Study Program

President Jokowi, on this occasion, also asked UNS and other universities to dare to revamp the study programs that are not relevant to the current era. Not only that, but the old research centers are also included to be revamped and replaced with a sophisticated one. Further, he said that science is growing so fast today, and all countries compete to pursue it. President Jokowi implies that he did not want state universities to fall behind in this “race.”

“HR development has to change, and it needs to be fast. Because as I said, all organizations, including higher education institutions and universities, must be agile, quickly learn according to the existing changes, and must be updated,” said President Jokowi. He targeted that the preparation of superior human resources can be done within two years before Indonesia faces a demographic bonus in 2030. If this target is not achieved, President Jokowi calls that there will be greater challenges for this country to face.

“We will be done for if we don’t change. For digital HR, digital talent must be developed. Because of all the ‘race.’ This huge vessel movement can not be nimble, but it can also show a refined and agile movement depending on the Captain,” concluded President Jokowi. President Jokowi’s visit this time was different from last year. This March, President Jokowi specifically gave direction to UNS in the Peak of the 46th Anniversary celebration. Humas UNS

Reporter: YCA Sanjaya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post The Meaning of ‘UNS is a Capital Ship’ in the President’s Speech, The Reason Behind appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

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

The post Attending CRISU Meeting in UNS, Indonesia President: University should Facilitate Students Develop Their Talent appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.