Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) Nadiem Anwar Makarim in the release of the Sixth Episode Freedom of Learning Policy program

ITS Campus, ITS News – The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) RI re-launched the 6th episode of the Freedom of Learning Policy program entitled Transformation of Government Funds for Higher Education virtual, Tuesday (3/11). On the occasion, The Rector of the Institute of Technology Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Ashari MEng. also presents as a panelist along with representatives of several relevant institutions.

The policy was issued to support the vision of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in realizing superior human resources. One of them is the transformation of higher education that can produce more talents and compete internationally. “Pandemics can realize that we need human resources that can adapt quickly to survive difficulties and win in a competition,” said the President. 

Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, explained the 6th episode of the Freedom of Learning Policy includes three funding breakthroughs that are expected to improve Indonesian higher education quality. “Namely, incentives based on the achievements of Key Performance Indicators (IKU), balancing funds or matching funds for cooperation with partners, as well as the independent  Campus Competition program or competitive fund,” he explained.

ITS Rector Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng as one of the panelists in the release of the Freedom Learning Policy program episode 6

Welcoming this, ITS Rector, who is usually called Ashari, believes that three new government funding transformations will bring universities to move faster because they feel by the needs so far. “Matching fund is a method that we wait because universities can not walk alone (in innovating, red),” he explained.

The Professor of Electrical Engineering of ITS said that one of ITS experiences related to innovative products that require such funding schemes was at the launch of Garansindo Electric Scooter ITS ( GESITS ) in 2016. “Since this innovation was the first local electric motor product, we found it difficult in some ways. It takes a wholehearted dedication from the relevant parties to keep it produced,” he said while being a panelist.

About the problem at that time continued Ashari. ITS must be able to make prototypes of commercial products with certification according to standards. Ashari said, of course, this is not cheap and easy. “Also, the product has not necessarily been able to be used in the community because no regulations are governing related to electric-powered commercial vehicles,” He said.

Minister of Education and Culture’s presentation regarding the Transformation of Government Funds for Higher Education

Ashari said that this problem re-occurred when ITS developed ITS Autonomous Boat (i-Boat). The unman innovative ship has been tested for durability for logistical purposes to the islands when the storm surges. “Even though we have a partner. The product is still not operational because of regulations that emphasize that the driver must drive the ship,” he explained.

Not to be missed, it is mention that ITS-UNAIR Medical Assistant Robot (RAISA), which in its production, also experienced some constraints related to funding, especially in the current pandemic situation. “Some of these examples give an idea that universities desperately need a matching fund program to work with partners to solve problems in the community and bring innovative products,” said Ashari.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, gave a speech at the virtual launch of the Freedom of Learning Policy program episode 6

This is in line with President Joko Widodo’s statement that universities must be more responsive to challenges by turning theoretical approaches into problem-solving approaches to create positive impacts. Universities must transform more dynamically and create breakthroughs to improve competitiveness. “Synergize and collaborate with SOEs and industries to encourage better achievements,” the President said.

Ashari also hopes that the three policies can eliminate all obstacles that have been faced so far so that the concept of building a triple helix until the Penta helix can happen. “That is, when universities have prepared research to finished products, the government has prepared related regulations, and the business world has prepared its manufacturing needs so that the product can be directly applied in the community,” he concluded. (tri/pan/ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Director-General of Higher Education (Dikti) Prof. Ir Nizam MSc DIC Ph.D. (top left) with the panelists who attended the launching of the Sixth Episode Freedom of Learning Policy program