"Gontors alumni can compete. I want to maintain the quality of education in the Gontor School as it will help win in the competition among countries," Joko Widodo said at an event to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Gontor modern Islamic boarding school on Monday.
The president pointed out that the boarding school has churned out national figures such as Vice Chairman of Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nur Wahid, Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and others.
"This Islamic boarding school is not only widely known in the country, but also in the world. I am grateful for the presence of Gontor in Indonesia," the president affirmed.
The president also lauded the students of Gontor who came from places as diverse as Sabang to Merauke.
The head of state pointed out that competition among ASEAN countries has begun since the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) arrangement.
"Malaysians can open business in Indonesia, just as Indonesians can now build their ventures in Brunei," the president cited.
Therefore, the president noted, Indonesias human resources and products should be improved to face such competition.
The president said many countries are facing a downturn in economic growth. Also, there is political uncertainty in some regions of the world.
However, Indonesias political and economic scenario is stable because the country has potentially large natural resources.
"Even though we have potential in the form of natural resources, Indonesia needs educated and highly-skilled human resources," the president stated.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
