Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan, has called on universities in Indonesia to play an active role in addressing environmental issues in their local communities.
The aim is to promote environmental resilience and sustainability across the nation.
Fauzan made these comments at the 2025 Rectors' Forum: Collaboration on Environmental Protection and Management, held in Jakarta on Monday, July 28, 2025. The event brought together 41 university leaders from across Indonesia.
"We are seeking to encourage universities to participate in conceptualizing themselves as social entities with a high level of environmental awareness," Fauzan said in a statement following the forum.
He also noted that this initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita goals and the government's quick-win programs, which place sustainable development and environmental resilience at the core of Indonesia's national transformation.
"Let us safeguard the environment with science and technology, not only from what is visible but also from the moral values that shape the nation," Fauzan remarked.
At the same forum, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq highlighted the importance of scientific input in policy-making. According to Minister Nurofiq, universities are pivotal in validating Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) documents, developing waste management technology, and preparing Strategic Environmental Studies (KLHS). He also noted that universities should provide cross-disciplinary education to support sustainability efforts.
The Minister pointed out that 12 percent of environmental permit applications were rejected in 2023 due to failure to meet carrying capacity requirements. In 2022 . Furthermore, the country generated 56.63 million tonnes of waste in 2023, but only 39 percent of this was effectively managed.
More than 150 districts and cities in Indonesia also reported an Environmental Quality Index (EQI) below 65, indicating that many regions face significant environmental challenges.
In conclusion, both Fauzan and Nurofiq emphasised that universities must become key players in Indonesia’s environmental efforts, utilising science and technology to improve sustainability and address pressing environmental issues across the country.