Prabowo Pushes Education Reform, International Collaboration for Science and Technology Dominance

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized that mastering science and technology is the main key to the progress of a nation. To achieve this goal, the government plans to strengthen investment in the education sector through the development of flagship schools, enhancement of research, and collaboration with the world's top universities to foster globally competitive human resources. During a meeting with officials from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 6, the President stated that a country's progress is heavily determined by its ability to master science and technology, asserting that a strong education system is essential for this mastery. "A nation that is able to master science and technology, that nation will advance rapidly. The key is science and technology," said Prabowo. The President also urged the government to objectively assess the national education situation, including the various challenges faced, to ensure that improvement steps are targeted. As part of efforts to improve educational quality, the government is preparing to build flagship schools that will attract the best students from across Indonesia. According to Prabowo, these schools will adopt the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, aiming to provide education equivalent to the world's best standards. Graduates are expected to compete globally and have greater opportunities for admission to international universities. "I want to improve all schools, from the physical. We are also building flagship schools for the smartest children. In these flagship schools, we use the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. It must be the same standard as the smartest in the world," said Prabowo. In addition to building flagship schools, the President is encouraging Indonesian universities to collaborate with the world's best universities. Prabowo stated that this cooperation can be realized through various schemes, such as joint programs and other forms of partnerships, to accelerate the improvement of higher education and national research quality. "The second way, we invite the best universities in the world to work together with universities here, whether it's a joint program, whether it's a KSO. But this is a long-term investment," he said. Prabowo assessed that investment in the fields of education and research is a crucial foundation for strengthening Indonesia's future competitiveness. Therefore, the government is committed to continuously enhancing educational quality, from improving school facilities and infrastructure to expanding access to international-standard education. Through strengthening education, research, and technological mastery, the government hopes to produce superior generations ready to face global competition and drive the transformation towards a developed nation.