Airlangga Hartarto Challenges Unhas Students To Become Knowledge Centers At IKN

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto challenged Unhas students. (photo: doc. ekon)

MAKASSAR- In a public lecture entitled "Acceleration of Economic Recovery and Transformation through Digital Technology Support" at Hasanuddin University Makassar, Saturday, March 12, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto gave a challenge to students.

The General Chair of the Golkar Party challenged Unhas to become a mecca of knowledge in the Capital of the Archipelago (IKN). Moreover, the location is directly opposite Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Airlangga explained that the existence of IKN in East Kalimantan is mandatory and must be utilized by Unhas to demonstrate its role as the oldest university in Eastern Indonesia.

"As a Center of Excellence, Unhas must be a mecca of knowledge. Same is the case with UI and ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology) in Jakarta (as the capital)," he said.

He said the presence of IKN in East Kalimantan would have a positive effect on the country's economic development. Moreover, if Indonesia-China and the senior export facility agreement (SEFA) in the next three to four years, the statistics will be more positive.

It is this opportunity that Unhas must begin to anticipate by preparing or producing human resources who have competence and competitiveness.

"Therefore, the existence of IKN in East Kalimantan must be utilized by Unhas. We will develop an archipelago-based economy," he said.

The Coordinating Minister on the occasion also explained the reasons President Joko Widodo finally decided to move the new capital city in East Kalimantan.

One of them is the position in the north of Java, almost entirely 20cm below sea level. And to overcome this by building a great wall, which of course takes a long time and costs.

On the other hand, Indonesia is considered to have the potential to be included in the five largest countries in 2045. But to get there, he said, it requires a new platform, namely a city that is modern and ahead of its time.