Attending 2022 Merdeka Award, Vice President Emphasizes the Importance of Digital Mindset to Advance the Nation

Jakarta, wapresri.go.id – The Government of Indonesia continuously accelerates digital transformation to support innovation as an effort to advance the nation. However, the implementation is not easy, because it requires a transition period for adjustment, while transformational changes are very fast and constant. For this reason, installing a digital mindset in the community is essential.

“People must have a digital mindset to learn new skills in the field of technology and use them to secure progress,” said Vice President (VP) Ma’ruf Amin when attending virtually the 2022 Merdeka Award, Thursday (30/06/2022).

Having the theme of “Merdeka Award 10 Years of Enlightening”, the Vice President reminded that relying solely on technology is not enough as technology continues to advance and develop. Even though it is the most up-to-date technology, it will quickly be obsolete.

“Therefore, we need a strategy to cultivate the digital mindset and tireless learning culture,” he appealed.

Furthermore, the Vice President revealed that there was research showing that the digital mindset had a positive impact on improving the career of an individual by opening up opportunities for success.

“By using the digital mindset, people can understand the development of information technology and pave the way for success, as well as progress for their organizations and businesses,” he said.

On behalf of the government, the Vice President also gave his appreciation to all citizens who have produced productive works beneficial for Indonesia in the future.

“The government really appreciates the works and efforts of all Indonesian citizens in responding to various challenges and preparing bright future,” said the Vice President.

Ending his remarks, the Vice President hoped that the 2022 Merdeka Award could inspire the community and encourage innovation from various fields.

“I also hope that the award winners will be an inspiration for all parties to continuously drive innovations to generate added value in all fields. Therefore, we will be able to overcome the upcoming crisis, and even become a stronger nation,” hoped the Vice President.

“Congratulations to all award recipients. Hopefully, there will be more and more inspirations and innovators born through this program,” he concluded.

Earlier, the Managing Director of EMTEK Group, Sutanto Hartono, who was present virtually, expressed his hope that the implementation of the Merdeka Award could be an inspiration to the community, especially in providing prosperity and progress for the Indonesian nation.

“We hope that this event can open the public’s mindset about the big impact that can be resulted by organization or individual on people’s welfare and progress. Hopefully, this Merdeka Award can inspire other people, organizations, government institutions, and even local governments to be able to do the same things or even more,” said Sutanto.

There are five categories given at the 2022 Merdeka Award. First, the Indonesian Inspirational Figure Award Category, namely the Education Sector, Daniel Alexander; Health, dr. Omat Rachmat; Social Movement Division, Maria Yeti Asri Saputri; Environmental Guard, Mpu Uteun; Women’s Sector, Nisa Saadah Wargadipura; and Inspirational Persons with Disabilities, Siti Masitoh.

The second award, for the Innovative Program Category for the Country, was given to the Supreme Court, Riau Islands Province, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero), the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Semarang City Government, and PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero).

Then, the award for the Creative Tourism Program Category was given to the Province of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Buleleng Regency, Medan City Government, Manggarai Regency, Bandung Regency, and Banyuwangi Regency.

Meanwhile, the fourth award, the Digital Innovation Category was given to the Pasuruan City Government, BRIguna Credit, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero), Malang City Government, Cirebon City Government, and Banda Aceh City Government.

Furthermore, the last award, namely the MSME Empowerment Program Category, was given to PT Permodalan Nasional Madani, West Java Province, Bukalapak, Central Java Province, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero), and South Sulawesi Province.

Attending this event, the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki, Plt. Deputy for Coordination for Improvement of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Aris Darmansyah Edisaputra, Director General of Informatics Applications (Aptika) of the Ministry of Communication and Information Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, and Editor-in-Chief of Merdeka.com Ramadian Fadillah.

Meanwhile, the vice president was accompanied by the Head of the Secretariat of the Vice President Ahmad Erani Yustika, Special Staff of the Vice President Masykuri Abdillah and Mohamad Nasir, and a member of Experts Team of the Vice President Farhat Brachma. (EP/DMA/LHS-BPMI Setwapres)