YOGYAKARTA - Minister of Research and Technology Higher Education Mohamad Nasir encouraged State Universities (PTN) and private universities (PTS) to work together to improve the competitiveness of the nation. This was stated by Minister of Research and Technology when opening the Working Meeting of Cooperation Agency (BKS) PTN-Kopertis Central Java and Yogyakarta, at Hotel Melia Purosani, Yogyakarta (10/11/2017).

Nasir welcomed the implementation of this working meeting as an effort to improve the quality of state and private universities in the region of Central Java and Yogyakarta in order to improve the competitiveness of the nation. Minister said there were many cooperation opportunities that could be built between PTN and PTS. Nasir explained that synergy could be built in the field of research, publication, internships, community service, students’ creativity program, innovation incubator, anti corruption education and anti radicalism movement.

"Synergy will improve the quality of colleges more evenly; the estuary is the increasing competitiveness of the nation. PTN and PTS are the same, except the only source of fund management. PTS with A accreditation equal to the value of PTN with accreditation A, " said Nasir.

On this occasion Minister gave appreciation to the positive development of the quality of universities in Yogyakarta and Central Java.

"Yogyakarta has 3 PTN with accreditation A those are Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta State University and UIN Yogyakarta, besides there are 5 PTS with accreditation A. While in Central Java there are 4 PTN with A accreditation those are Diponegoro University, Semarang State University, Sebelas Maret University and State Polytechnic of Semarang. PTS with accreditation A in Central Java there are 4 PTS, "explained Nasir.

UPN Rector said that the BKN Working Meeting of PTN-Kopertis in Central Java and Yogyakarta was expected to produce decisions that would improve the quality of PTN management in Central Java and DIY areas such as universities, institutes, universities and the Polytechnic, so that in its estuary would be able to make PTN under BKS PTN-Kopertis Central Java and Yogyakarta become more qualified, trusted by the community, and able to compete in the international arena.

"We as the committee appointed as the host of the BKS Working Meeting this time are very grateful for the presence of the Minister. This is the first time BKS Work Meeting attended by Minister of Research and Technology, "said Sari Bahagiarti.

Fathur Rokhman in his report said that BKS Central Java and Yogyakarta consisted of 23 State Universities and 2 Kopertis. BKS aimed to improve the quality and ability of institutional management of PTN and Kopertis in Central Java and Yogyakarta. 

"Higher Education with good quality and accreditation A will provide assistance to other universities to achieve better accreditation," he said.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion Rector UPNVY, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sari Bahagiarti K., M.Sc, addressed the issues of radicalism, terrorism, drug abuse, and the diminution of current national values as a challenge for universities to be able to produce human resources that are internationally competitive but still able to uphold the values ??of Indonesian Nationality.

"Therefore, through the synergy that exists between State Universities and Kopertis in Central Java and Yogyakarta, the intention to produce human resources with high competitiveness spirited Indonesian Nationality will be realized," she said.

This annual routine event was attended by Secretary General Ainun Na'im, Director General of Science and Technology Resources and Dikti Ali Ghufron Mukti, Chairman of BKS who is also the Rector of Semarang State University Fathur Rokhman, head of PTN in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Coordinator Kopertis Wilayah V and Coordinator of Kopertis Region VI, and other invited guests.