Nadiem Makarim: Higher Education Is Important So That Time Is Not Left Behind

JAKARTA - Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Anwar Makarim said the role of higher education is increasingly important so that Indonesia is not left behind by the times. "The policy priority is to improve access and quality of higher education in Indonesia, including through Campus policies. Independence and expansion of the LPDP scholarship program in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance," he said during the Education Festival, which was organized by Mata Garuda, an organization that receives scholarships from the Ministry of Finance's Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP), as reported by Antara, Monday, June 14. recipients of higher education scholarships to collaborate, welcome creativity, innovate, and most importantly serve the community and instill the spirit of penance sharpening (giving each other), silih asuh (loving each other), and silih asih (nurturing each other). The Education Festival was held virtually during June 9-12 2021 with the theme "Scholarship Sharing and Information of Education Life" as a series of Mata Garuda Edufair 2021 events, which will take place from May 2, 2021 and coincide with National Education Day.

Present as speakers were inspiring young figures, namely Dodik Pranata Wijaya, Special Staff to the Minister of Villages of PDTT; Danang Rizki Ginanjar, Secretary General of the Indonesia Forum and former Special Staff to the Minister of National Development Planning and Minister of Research and Technology; and Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Member of Commission VII DPR RI. In line with Nadiem, the three speakers also realized the important role of higher education in supporting their current duties and encouraging fellow higher education scholarship alumni to participate in serving the community. Dodik Pranata Wijaya say things done now are investments for the future. "The fastest escalator to change fate is education," said the recipient of the LPDP scholarship during S2 and S3. Meanwhile, Dyah Roro Esti, who is also a recipient of an LPDP scholarship, shared her experience working as a people's representative and what breakthroughs she echoed as a representative of Indonesian women. Meanwhile, the scholarship sharing session was filled with scholarship recipients from the Australian continent, namely Fahd Pahdepie (AAS), Hera Bugis Indiana (New Zealand Scholarship), Hani Yulindrasari (AAS and Dikti), and Rahmat Yudha Putra (LPDP). namely Melvina (Fulbright), Pujiati Sari (LPDP Affirmation), Dr. Jonathan Hasian Haposan (USAID), Rahmatri Mardiko (Fulbright), and Anthony Winza Prabowo (Regular LPDP). From the Asian continent, they are Radium Ikono (LPDP), Nuris Fattahillah (Internal LPDP), Dimas Harris Sean Keefe (BK21 Scholarship), Rama Rizana (KFUPM Scholarship), and Dhyan Ramadhan (China Scholarship). Also, from Europe, I Made Aditya (Chevening), Ivandito Herdyandita (Erasmus Mundus), and Birul Qodriyah (LPDP). Besides the Education Festival, other agenda items are Education Webinar, Coaching Clinic for Teachers, TOEFL Webinar and Simulation, IELTS Webinar, and Essay and Photography Competition. Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of Mata Garuda​​​​​​ Erbi Setiawan said the Mata Garuda event This edufair will become an annual routine event and it is hoped that after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, it can be carried out offline in the regions.