“To follow up on the President’s instructions regarding disaster response operations in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, the ministry collaborated for the operations across the three provinces, covering 31 cities and districts and 104 sub-districts, with 82 universities,” Yuliarto stated at the Presidential Palace Complex on Thursday.
According to the minister, the 82 universities have mobilized 3,746 medical personnel—comprising general practitioners, dentists, specialists, and medical students—1,267 health workers, and 219 volunteers.
He said the initiatives showed that universities are "not merely observers" and they also participate in "providing solutions for the nation."
On the same occasion, the minister said that Indonesia has 4,614 public and private higher education institutions, over 303,000 university lecturers, and 9.9 million active university students.
The minister revealed that every year, 1.7 million students from various study courses, including science and technology, health, education, economy, and humanities, graduate from universities in Indonesia.
According to Yuliarto, they constitute “advanced human resources with a vital role in driving the nation forward.”
Earlier today, President Prabowo Subianto announced the increase in the research funding ceiling to Rp12 trillion (US$690 million) from the previous budget of Rp8 trillion (US$460.5 million) in 2026.
Speaking before 1,200 professors, deans, and rectors from universities across the country on Thursday, Prabowo said the additional funding is expected to strengthen university research activities, including collaborative projects with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
During the briefing, Prabowo also asked universities to prioritize research that supports the implementation of food self-sufficiency, energy self-sufficiency, industrialization, and downstreaming programs.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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