UNS — The President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) Ir. H. Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made an analogy of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta as a “Capital Ship” in his recent speech. This statement was made through his directive at the 46th UNS Anniversary Academic Senate Open Session, Friday (11/3/2021) morning at the UNS Ki Hadjar Dewantara Tower.
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
