Minister of Science and Technology Ensures URI Does Not Affect All Campuses and the Kemendiktisaintek Budget is Safe

JAKARTA - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto ensures that the Indonesian People's University or URI will not supervise all universities. The presence of the new campus also does not interfere with the ministry's budget.

Brian conveyed this before attending a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Thursday, July 23.

"It doesn't mean that URI oversees all campuses. Not really," said Brian.

He said the functions of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology did not change after the establishment of URI. A more complete explanation regarding the position and role of the campus will be conveyed by the Governor of URI.

"Our function does not change. Maybe later in the near future, Governor URI will explain more about his role and position," he said.

Brian also said that the plan to build 10 URI campuses is still being studied. The government has not specified in detail the pattern of management and the relationship of the campus with his ministry.

However, he explained that URI was directed to carry out an affirmative program. The campus will prepare labor to be placed in areas or sectors that are considered strategic.

"The point is that URI is an affirmation, preparing human resources to be more ready to work in strategic locations or positions," said Brian.

The position, continued Brian, can be in the lagging, leading, and outermost regions or 3T. URI graduates can also be directed to support national priority programs.

When asked whether the budget for the Ministry of Industry and Technology would be disrupted by the formation of the URI, Brian answered briefly, "No."

Brian said that URI was not discussed in the limited meeting that day. The meeting discussed more about cooperatives, the readiness of the campus to face global turmoil, and research support for energy programs.