Gather The Chancellor, Prof. Arief Kartasasmita Calls Prabowo Not Anti-Criticism

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto invited hundreds of rectors from various state and private universities to the Presidential Palace. This step received appreciation, including from the Chancellor of Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Prof. Arief Kartasasmita, who considered the meeting as a form of government openness to the academic world.

During the meeting, Prof. Arief Kartasasmita highlighted President Prabowo's open attitude towards criticism and input, as long as it is based on clear data and facts.

"The president emphasized that criticism is permissible, but it must be based on data. This shows that he is not anti-criticism," said Arief in his statement received in Jakarta, Friday, March 14, 2025.

According to Arief, this meeting is an opportunity for the rectors to understand the government's policies directly. President Prabowo also explained the condition of the nation and global challenges that have the potential to influence Indonesia.

"What happens in the world will have an impact on us. Therefore, it is important for us to understand the global situation," he continued conveying the President's message.

Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for Science and Technology (Mendikti Saintek), Brian Yuliarto, revealed that this meeting was attended by 184 rectors from all over Indonesia. They consist of 124 rectors of state universities, 40 rectors of private universities, 18 high-ranking officials from religious universities, and 17 officials from the Higher Education Service Institute (LLDikti).

The event which took place in the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace was also attended by a number of ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, including Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Education and Technology Brian Yuliarto, Minister of Religion Nazaruddin Umar, Advisor to the President for Hajj Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary TeddyIndra Wijaya.