Mataram, The University of Mataram – The Rector of Mataram University (Unram) played a direct role in sharpening The Draft of National Long-Term Development Plan RPJPN) 2025 – 2045 through the ‘Rector Speaking for Golden Indonesia 2045’ event. It was held in Meeting Room DH 1 – 3 Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN)/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) of the Republic of Indonesia in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (6/6) afternoon local time.

This activity is part of the implementation of the Public Consultation Forum and Building Ownership of Long-Term Planning Documents for Private Stakeholders. The event aims to socialize, consolidate, synergize, sharpen and deepen the strategies and policies contained in the RPJPN 2025 – 2045 as a single document that determines the direction of Indonesia’s development in the next 20 years.

The Rector of the University of Mataram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr, St., Ph.D, was the one of the invited guests of 21 Rectors of Higher Education who attended the event. On the occasion, Rector of Mataram University conveyed bright ideas for regional evelopment.

Reflecting on the development of New Zealand which is able to present the world’s largest industry by relying optimally on its Natural Resources (SDA), the rector of Mataram University also stated that NTB also has potential in it.

“NTB has dry land, NTB has extraordinary tourism potential which is similar to New Zealand, Its animal husbandry also has extraordinary potential as well as its agriculture, fisheries, seaweed and lobsters in NTB are bred, developed and also sold throughout the world and many other potential”. He said the Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture.

He mentioned the potential of the region to be the basis for the development of a country. “We see tourism industry has developed in NTB, airport development has also been carried out in NTB, but the potential of such a vast dry land has not been seen or may not have been touched,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that he had given a challenge to the lecturers to find a deep water pump that could make all dry land in NTB productive. Not only that, he had lso challenged his researchers to provide a touch of technology in the field of water.

“therefore, my suggestion in this development is related to how national development must pay attention to regional potential, that’s for sure, but then how universities play a role and focus on the development,” he said.

“We have produced Lamtoro Beef in the last twelve years, which is beef produced from Lamtoro feed, and it is a crossbreeding between Lamtoro that we have and Lamtoro in Hawaii. Not only that, we also produced collaboration with Australia called Lamtoro Taramba with a protein content of 25%. Lamtoro grows rapidly in dry lands,” he said in the Bappenas meeting room.

“But, we continue to push the government to develop this on a large scale, Lamtoro Taramba for example which is able to produce meat with quality that is not inferior to meat produced in New Zealand. This means that technological innovation and the role of universities can be maximized,” he continued.

On this occasion, Rector of Mataram University expressed his willingness to accept any challenges given by the Minister related to regional development in NTB. “Even now Unram is creating an Island Medicine study program, this is because we really want to build the potential of the region in our place,” he concluded.

In the forum, Bappenas also invited 20 other universities such as Gajah Mada University, Padjadjaran University, Brawijaya University, Cenderawasih University, Sunan Ampel UIN Surabaya, Pattimura Ambon University, Hasanuddin University, North Sumatra University, Mulawarman University, Bandung Institute of Technology, University of Indonesia, Airlangga University, Binus University, Antasari UIN, Yarsi University, International Islamic University of Indonesia, Sam Ratulangi University Manado, and Syiah Kuala University.