"One of the challenges is currently at the university level. None of the leading universities in Indonesia are among the world's top 300 universities. We are upbeat about several top universities abroad having counterparts with various universities in the country," Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto noted in a written statement released on Monday.
Thus, any of the top national universities will be among the topmost 100 universities at least at the regional level, he stated.
Citing an example, he remarked that the University of Melbourne may serve as a counterpart of Indonesian universities.
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"The University of Melbourne is currently ranked 33rd in the world. It (the university) is expected to encourage the development of several universities in Indonesia," he noted in his address at an event organized as part of an event recently organized by the University of Melbourne in Jakarta.
"After focusing on massive infrastructure development, the next priority program of Mr President Joko Widodo is to pay significant attention to developing the quality of human resources," he noted.
The step is aimed at capitalizing on the momentum of the demographic bonus that Indonesia will enjoy especially during the 2020-2024 period, he stated.
"If we can focus greater on developing human resources employing novel methods, the government believes the demographic bonus will serve as a leap of progress for the Indonesian nation," he affirmed.
To this end, the government will continue to encourage educational institutions and training centers to conduct breakthroughs to be able to face the challenge and various aspects.
"We need skilled human resources capable of mastering knowledge now and in the future," he noted. Related news: Jokowi challenged to improve Indonesia's competitiveness
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Sella Panduarsa Gaeta/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
