President asks campuses to prepare human resources for national cars and industrialization

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto asked universities to accelerate the birth of human resources (HR), research, and technology needed to support national downstream programs, including the development of national cars and motorcycles.

The message was conveyed by the President when opening the 2026 Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Senayan, Friday (26/6), in front of around 2,600 rectors, deans, professors, academics, and hundreds of researchers.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the President considered academics to be the best sons and daughters of the nation who must direct science for the benefit of the country.

"All knowledge, innovation, and technology developed must be directed for the benefit of the nation and state as well as the welfare of the people," Prasetyo told reporters after the event, Friday, June 26.

According to him, the President exemplified the need for research in the agricultural sector to be able to produce superior seeds to strengthen national food security.

In addition, the President also touched on the importance of preparing experts for the development of the national vehicle industry.

"One of the things that was touched on was how we have more and more experts to develop national cars and national motorcycles. Most likely the direction is towards electric vehicles," said Prasetyo.

He added that the KSTI forum will last until Sunday by presenting various speakers from academics and researchers. The government hopes that the meeting will produce sharper input for the development of science, technology, and national industries.

Prasetyo said the government wanted the results of campus research not to stop in the laboratory, but to really answer the needs of development and strengthen Indonesia's competitiveness.