Jokowi: Budi Gunadi Sadikin Is An Example Of A Nuclear Physics Engineering Graduate Who Has Soared To Become The Minister Of Health

JAKARTA - Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin is an example presented by President Joko Widodo about a career that can be far from education.

“Our Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, is an example of someone whose career is far from the knowledge he gained during college. He was a Nuclear Physics Engineering Engineer who became a banker. His career shot to the top as the President Director of Bank Mandiri and now, Mr. Budi has jumped again to become the Minister of Health", said Jokowi at a meeting of the Chancellor's Council of Indonesian State Universities which was re-uploaded on Jokowi's Instagram account, Tuesday, September 14.

"Mr. Budi's journey implies a message to the world of higher education to facilitate students to develop their talents and change old patterns to cope with the changing world", continued Jokowi.

Jokowi asked universities to facilitate students to develop their talents which are not necessarily by the choice of study programs, majors, or faculties.

“Because we remember, the choice of majors and faculties is not always based on talent. And that mismatch is sometimes felt during college", Jokowi said.

“A student does not need to change study programs, majors, and faculties. But increase the number of elective courses and allow them to take courses according to their talents", he continued.

In addition, President Joko Widodo hopes that the rectors will also pay attention to food for students to avoid disease.

"The student's eating affairs must be checked properly. I'm sorry, I remember at UGM (Gadjah Mada University) in Yogya, students used to get sick together very often, Mr. Rector? Hepatitis, a lot. Then what is typhus", said Jokowi.

"For what? Student food stalls that I also experienced in the past when washing dishes in buckets, one bucket of water was used from morning to midnight. Give them running water, our students will bring all diseases", continued the President.

According to President Jokowi, it will be useless for smart but unhealthy students.

"Those are small things. However, no matter how smart people are if they are not healthy for what? What I said earlier was superior and intact. Once again the responsibility of the chancellor, yes, on campus, yes, off-campus", said President.

President Jokowi said that the university's task is to produce excellent and complete students.

"Physical health, mental health, good character, good nationality, this is not an easy task because if not, our children will be 'carried' everywhere later", said the President.