Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) collaborates with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) to address the stunting problem in the country.
"The problem of high stunting rates can be reduced through collaboration. We believe universities are able to overcome the problem with the help of experts from various backgrounds," Acting Director-General of Higher Education, Research and Technology from Kemendikbudristek Professor Nizam noted on Monday.
According to Nizam, the problem of stunting was not only caused by nutritional problems but also due to family management, sanitation, availability of clean water, and the behavior of family members.
"The aspect is broad and requires a multidimensional approach to solve," he remarked.
Through the vision and mission of higher education, he expressed optimism that the stunting problem would be overcome together. Students and lecturers from universities could apply their knowledge in the field to help reduce the stunting rate in Indonesia.
"Students can sharpen their knowledge and competencies in the field with other communities," Nizam affirmed.
Meanwhile, Expert Counselor for Family Planning in BKKBN Dwi Listyawardani, remarked that universities have a role to play in reducing the stunting rates, especially in providing assistance to regions.
"Currently, 320 districts and cities have collaborated with universities in reducing the stunting rates. We are targeting that by 2024, all districts and cities can collaborate with universities in their respective areas,” Listyawardani remarked.
Listyawardani noted that her side had encouraged local governments to collaborate with universities in reducing the stunting rates in Indonesia.
Several programs implemented include integrated research and stunting interventions, building a stunting care village and stunting intervention, independent stunting care and intervention projects, entrepreneurship stunting care programs, teaching assistants for stunting care education units and stunting interventions, humanitarian projects for stunting care and interventions, and work practice or apprenticeship care and stunting intervention. (*)
