President Prabowo Engages 1,200 Academics on Social Sciences and Humanities Policy in Jakarta

President Prabowo Hosts Extensive Academic Dialogue

President Prabowo Subianto held a significant dialogue with approximately 1,200 academics, comprising professors, deans, and university rectors from across Indonesia, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The closed-door meeting, which commenced at 9 a.m. local time, was dedicated to discussing critical academic and policy issues within the social sciences and humanities.

This gathering marks a deliberate shift in focus, as noted by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Prof. Stella Christie. She stated that while previous consultations leaned towards science and technology (STEM), this event underscored the government's 'growing attention to social humanities'. The dialogue aimed to strengthen communication between the government and higher education institutions, particularly in aligning social sciences and humanities research with national education priorities and policy development.

Key Discussion Points and Government Objectives

During the session, President Prabowo provided a briefing on domestic conditions and geopolitical developments, and their implications for Indonesia. The discussions also centered on several key areas:

• Improving the quality of higher education: The administration aims to ensure universities advance and improve quality without imposing financial burdens on students or the public.
• Increasing the number of medical doctors: Acknowledging a national shortage of over 100,000 doctors, strategies to accelerate the training and deployment of medical professionals were explored.
• Reducing operational costs at universities: Efforts are underway to calculate and consider methods to alleviate the financial burden on higher education institutions.
• Integrating social sciences into national policy planning: The dialogue sought to ensure social sciences remain integral to Indonesia's higher education priorities and national policy formulation.

Cabinet Secretary Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that the meeting was part of the President's agenda as head of state and government to engage in discussions and convey his views on the country's condition and future plans.

Attendance and Academic Perspectives

The event saw the participation of a diverse group of academics, with some attending in full academic regalia. Several senior government officials were also present, including State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.

This dialogue follows a similar meeting in March 2025 with STEM professors, reflecting a broader effort by President Prabowo to involve universities more actively in national policy formulation and long-term development planning. However, not all invited academics accepted the invitation. Some professors, including Masduki from the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) in Yogyakarta, declined to attend, viewing the event as 'merely ceremonial' and a 'top-down' approach focused on 'image-building' rather than substantive dialogue. Masduki expressed skepticism about the opportunity for open criticism or meaningful input within such a format.

Conclusion

The dialogue underscores the Indonesian government's commitment to leveraging academic expertise in shaping national policies, particularly within the social sciences and humanities. While the initiative aims to foster collaboration and address critical national issues, it also highlights ongoing discussions within the academic community regarding the nature and effectiveness of such engagements.