Jakarta-wapresri.go.id. The people of Minang, the popular name for West Sumatra province, are known for their good thinking, instead of their physical strength. Mohammad Hatta, the first vice Indonesian president, and Buya Hamka, a belated prominent Muslim scholar, are among Minang people proving this view.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated this as he received the Rector of Andalas University, a state university in West Sumatra province, Tafdil Husni at the Vice President’s office in Jakarta, on Wednesday (April, 20).
“However, you should not be trapped in a memory of great people in the past. You have to create your own history,” he said.
Education, he added, is expected to alter such thinking so that people will focus more on how to develop their future.
“A university differs from a museum as the first focuses on the future while the latter looks back,” said the Vice President.
According to him, a university holds three pillars, namely leadership, knowledge, and entrepreneurship. He then encouraged universities to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship to make students able to create jobs, instead of seeking jobs.
Mr. Kalla also promoted lecturers and students to continue their study abroad.
“This is to open up your way of thinking,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, Mr Husni invited the Vice President to officially inaugurate the Andalas University Teaching Hospital next September, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the university.
“This hospital was established with your support during your first tenure of vice presidency,” Mr. Husni told the Vice President.
Accompanying Tafdil Husni in the meeting were Andalas University executive board members, among others Ardinis Arbain, Asdi Agustar, Hermansah, Endry Martius, and Gatot S. Dinata.
