Indonesian Rectors Forum (FRI) 2022 promotes “The Roles of Higher Education in Realizing Food, Energy, and Medicine Sovereignty Towards Golden Indonesia 2045”. This year, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) hosted the FRI Conference that includes the 28th FRI Convention and the 24th Annual Meeting on October 29-30, 2022. Government officials and rectors from 345 universities attended the conference.
The FRI Conference 2022 was opened by a series of speeches given by UNAIR Rector Professor Mohammad Nasih, FRI Chairperson Professor Panut Mulyono, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Professor Muhajir Effendy, and Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Nadiem Anwar Makarim.
The event was followed by tree planting, which is symbolically done by Prof. Muhajir Effendy, Head of East Java Provincial Education Office, Chairman of FRI 2022, UNAIR Rector, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Council, and Prof. Rochmat Wahab.
The planting symbolizes the commitment of higher education institutions to sustainability. The planted trees were maja (Aegle marmelos), tabebuia (Tabebuia sp), ketapang kencana (Terminalia mantaly), flamboyant (Royal poinciana), pulai (Alstonia scholaris), and kiacret (Spathodea campanulata).
The symbolic planting ceremony was followed by a press conference by Prof. Muhajir Effendy and Prof. Mohammad Nasih, in which he emphasized that crucial issues were discussed in the forum, and FRI is committed to solving those within the field of research and education.
“Our fellow rectors are open for suggestions and recommendations towards Golden Indonesia 2045. All management of higher education are ready to give our best to face the forthcoming problems,” he said.
Prof. Muhajir Effendy took part in the event to discuss ongoing issues, like climate change, global warming, food crisis, financial crisis, and the forecasted recession of 2023.
“I specifically came here to monitor and ensure that these policies have been properly implemented. The President warned that next year won’t be any better. Therefore, we have to prepare for the worst, including preparing for the food crisis. I’d like to thank UNAIR Rector for inviting me today,” the Minister said.
The FRI Conference 2022 was followed by plenary meetings and commission sessions to discuss the accountability report and inauguration of the FRI Chairman for 2023-2024. (*)
Author: Dewi Yugi Arti
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
