Many Still not Believe Indonesia's Achievements: Minister

Malang, East Java (Antara) - Education minister Muhammad Nuh said here on Saturday that many people within Indonesia still do not believe about the achievements that the country has accomplished. "Indonesia's position is now very good because, in terms of its economy, it is among the top ten in the world, while two years ago it was still the 16th largest. Some people, however, still do not believe this," he said while speaking to new graduates at Malang Muhammadiyah University. He added that he was not surprised, claiming many people are suffering from an inferiority complex after many failures that the country suffered in past years. Nuh also said Indonesia would enjoy demographic advantages until 2035, as most of its population would be in a productive age, and the country would continue to enjoy this until its 100th anniversary in 2045. "It will be you, the graduates, who will later be part of that generation," he said. In view of that, he called the students the sun generation because of the opportunity it has to present inspiration and enlightenment with the knowledge they have acquired while in university. "Not all senior high school students could continue their studies in the university. And if they do not, all of them could enter the Malang Muhammadiyah University, which is one of the best universities in the country, to offer inspiration and enlightenment," he said. He further said the UMM has given an example, such as with its capability to generate electricity from the Brantar river, which runs through the campus and into a micro-hydro plant. The minister also said he would offer rewards to the best graduates from all faculties in the university, including scholarships to join the post-graduate programs in the country's state universities, such as at ITS, ITB, UGM and UI. (*) reporting by endang sukarelawati