Makassar, May 24, 2025 — The Rector of Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) took part as a panelist in Rector Expression (Rex), a strategic national forum held as part of the Festival Kebangsaan Generasi Emas (Gema) at Hasanuddin University, Makassar. 

This forum gathered university leaders from across Indonesia, including the Rectors of Tadulako University (Untad) and Lampung University (Unila), to discuss critical national development issues. This edition of Rex focused on the role of higher education institutions in supporting the downstream development of natural resources, particularly minerals and energy. 

Held at the Arsyad Rasyid Lecture Theater, the event featured key speakers such as the Director General of Mineral and Coal (Minerba), Dr. Tri Winarno — representing the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources — and the Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Prof. Dr. Agus Joko Pranoto. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Herman Fitrah, Rector of Malikussaleh University. 

Representing the Kalimantan region, the ITK Rector emphasized the university's readiness to support coal gasification downstreaming, highlighting ITK’s capacity in research and human resources. He also urged the government to actively involve universities in the national downstream development agenda. 

“We are prepared to be a strategic partner for the government and industry. However, this collaboration must be accompanied by clear administrative guidance to ensure good governance,” the ITK Rector stated, while seeking advice from the KPK representative on maintaining administrative compliance in industry partnerships. 

Meanwhile, Tadulako University Rector, Prof. Amar, underlined the importance of involving universities in the nickel exploration and downstream processes in Morowali, Central Sulawesi. Lampung University Rector, Prof. Lusmenia Afriani, expressed her institution’s commitment to supporting human resource development in the agricultural sector through downstream innovation. 

In response, the Director General of Minerba welcomed the reformed collaboration model and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to involving higher education institutions in mineral and energy downstreaming programs. The Deputy Chairman of the KPK also shared key recommendations to the rectors, including maintaining accurate transaction records, systematic documentation, and regular reporting to ensure transparency and accountability. 

This inaugural Rector Expression event attracted more than 100 participants from academia, government, and industry sectors, reflecting a strong enthusiasm for national development issues and the strategic role of universities in shaping Indonesia’s future.