Indonesian Rectors Forum Calls for Closer Cooperation Between Universities
Surabaya, UIN News Online – The Indonesian Rectors Forum meeting which was held at the Airlangga University campus, Surabaya on Saturday-Sunday (10/29-30/2022) has been ended.
At the annual meeting themed “Peran Perguruan Tinggi dalam Mewujudkan Kedaulatan Pangan, Energi, Obat, dan Alat Kesehatan Menuju Indonesia Emas 2045”, the forum calls for closer cooperation between universities and emphasizes the important role of campuses in improving the quality of democracy.
In addition to university leaders, the annual meeting was also attended by a number of Ministers, including Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Health Budi G. Sadikin , and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD.
In addition, the meeting was also attended by 384 participants from 345 institutions. The 345 institutions include the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Health, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, state Islamic universities, state public universities, including 260 private universities.
Representing the leadership of the State Islamic Religious University (PTKIN), Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis is trusted to moderate the dialogue session of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, entitled “Peran Strategis Pembangunan Demokrasi, Hukum, dan Keamanan untuk Indonesia Maju, Sejahtera, dan Berkeadilan”.
In his report, the Chair of the Organizing Committee for the Rector's Annual Forum Meeting, Mohammad Nasih said that this annual meeting was held for two days. In addition to focusing on discussing the recommendations and institutions of the rector's forum, the forum was also filled with discussions about the latest politics and democratic issues in Indonesia.
The Chancellor of Airlangga University also added that the summit of the activity will be filled by the declaration of Rectors throughout Indonesia in realizing quality democracy in the country.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the Chairman of the Indonesian Rectors Forum, Panut Mulyono emphasized that this meeting was aimed to strengthen the cooperation of universities. Various problems of the nation today and in the future, he explained, require a strong role of universities.
“Universities must be able to provide solutions to the nation's problems. For this reason, the Indonesian Chancellor's Forum must be able to become an agent of change with creative and innovative ideas, work collaboratively and synergistically,” said Panut.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in his presentation asked all universities to maintain and increase their role in improving the quality of democracy in the country. According to Mahfud, universities can contribute by improving the quality of various aspects that support the growth of democracy.
“Democracy in Indonesia faces a number of important challenges that need to be continuously improved. After the challenges of deviation before the reform period, democracy also continues to face its own post-reform challenges,” said Mahfud.
In addition, he continued, the challenge of democracy in the country is corruption. However, along with its surrounding problems, Mahfud said, the democratic government system has placed the lives of Indonesian people in a better position in various aspects.
“This is what we have to take care of. Let's keep a healthy democracy towards the dignified Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said. (zm/usa)