Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto Encourages Universities In Indonesia To Enter The STEM Revolution

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto during the "1st National Conference and Plenary Central Management Meeting (ERPPP) of the Association of Indonesian Private Universities (APTISI)" in Nusa Dua, Bali, Saturday (2/7/2022). (AMONG)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto encourages public and private universities in Indonesia to enter the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) revolution in order to produce quality graduates in these fields.

"Every year China produces 1.3 million STEM scholars, while the United States produces as many as 300,000 people," Prabowo said in front of the Central Board of the Association of Indonesian Private Universities (Aptisi), rectors of private universities (PTS) and BEM PTS throughout Indonesia. Indonesia in Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, as quoted in a release received by Antara in Denpasar, Sunday.

According to him, the number of STEM scholars in Indonesia is much smaller than the United States and China. Likewise in the field of mastery of advanced technology, especially super computers.

"In 1996 Indonesia only had one supercomputer, China was still zero (empty)," he said.

However, he continued, in 2017, China already had 167 supercomputers, while the United States had 165 supercomputers.

Prabowo said China now excels in the production of computers, semiconductors, communications and medicine," he said.

Meanwhile, General Chairperson of the Central Aptisi Dr. M Budi Djatmiko urged the government to pay more attention to private universities (PTS) which have made major contributions to this country.

The results of the National Conference and the Plenary Central Executive Meeting in Bali decided at least seven points to be submitted to the government, but there are three points that according to Budi are very important and must be responded to by the government.

First, remove the cost of self-accreditation, secondly improve the competency test system and thirdly, the scholarship quota for the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) for College.

Budi Djatmiko said that currently there are three types of accreditation fees, namely Rp. 50 million, Rp. 79 million and Rp. 82 million.

Aptisi objected to the cost of self-accreditation, because first, it was too expensive. Second, the government can pay the fee, so there is no need to charge private universities, and the three Aptisi submit Block Chain-based accreditation entries, so they are free of charge and do not need to bring in assessors. However, PTS are reviewed and immediately come out (PTS accreditation status).

In addition, Aptis urges the government to increase the number of PTS students receiving the KIP Lecture scholarships.

He said that in 2020 PTS students only got 5 percent of the KIP Lecture scholarships. In 2021 it rose to 65 percent and in 2022 it fell again to 50 percent.

"In fact, currently there are 4,530 private universities under Aptisi with around 6 million students out of a total of 9 million Indonesian students," said Budi.

According to him, what Aptisi has agreed on in Bali will soon be conveyed to President Jokowi by the Aptis Central Executive.