Universitas Republik Indonesia to Focus on STEM Development

The Indonesian government has decided to focus on the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields at the newly established Universitas Republik Indonesia (URI). This initiative is part of a long-term strategy aimed at cultivating the 'golden generation' by 2045, according to Aris Marsudiyanto, Head of the Agency for Development and Special Investigations (Bappisus). While URI will concentrate on STEM, it will also encompass other sectors. For instance, the establishment of a medical faculty is being considered to address the shortage of doctors in Indonesia. Aris highlighted the current doctor-to-population ratio in Indonesia, which stands at approximately 0.47 in urban areas and 0.27 in rural areas, falling short of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1,000, underscoring the need to enhance medical education. The official emphasized that strengthening the STEM sector is crucial for Indonesia to become a leader in technology, a view also shared by the President, who prioritizes the establishment of STEM-based universities. The formation of URI is spearheaded by Prabowo, with Donny Ermawan appointed as Governor and Yos Sunitiyoso as Deputy Governor. Separately, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that URI is being prepared to produce future national leaders by adopting models from leadership education institutions in various countries. He noted that such institutions often serve as a training ground for government officials, state-owned enterprise executives, and regional leaders, aiming to equip them with both technical skills and a strong sense of national identity.