Jokowi Supports The Establishment Of The AI Campus In Yogya Donations To The UAE

President Joko Widodo when delivering his remarks at the inauguration of the Integrated Campus Building of Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) Yogyakarta, on Wednesday (31/1/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) welcomed the construction of the MBZ College of Future Studies (future study campus), which was founded with the support of the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Yogyakarta Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) complex.

"This is a graduate school with a focus on future studies, as a key initiative to show our readiness to face the future," said Jokowi when inaugurating the Yogyakarta UNU Integrated Campus Building in Yogyakarta, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 31.

The construction of the school, he said, was inspired by the story of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to President Jokowi more than a year ago, that his country has a university specifically for studying artificial intelligence (AI).

"I then whispered, Your Honor (President of the UAE), Indonesia also wants to (have a similar campus)," said Jokowi, telling his meeting with Al Nahyan.

The request was then welcomed by the UAE, which not only contributed to the campus building, but also provided scholarships and lecturers for research in strategic fields in the future, such as future society, biotechnology, and AI.

"We need to know this knowledge and we have to have basic (based on learning) here," said President Jokowi.

The existence of MBZ College of Future Studies, he said, will further strengthen the role of Yogyakarta UNU to become the locomotive of Indonesia's future educational progress.

The graduate school building will have nine floors in accordance with nine NU emblem stars, depicting Wali Songo, who is struggling to develop Islam in the archipelago.

President Jokowi expressed his gratitude for the support of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan whose presence was represented by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of UAE Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui.

"This support is very important for NU and the Indonesian people to prepare future human resources that master future knowledge and skills, to solve problems, and take advantage of future opportunities so that Indonesia is in the forefront of developed countries," said Jokowi.