VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A screenshot of Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Sandiaga Uno. (ANTARA/Dokumentasi Pribadi)/rst) - 

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has asked tourism schools to stay productive and innovative amid the ongoing global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease that has severely affected Indonesia's public health and economy.

"I have requested all tourism schools to stay productive and innovative during the pandemic, as a part of the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (Freedom to Learn, Freedom Campus) Program," he informed in a press statement issued on Friday.

The minister said he has asked tourism schools to hold online learning and training activities to hone the skills of lecturers and students.

Schools must also develop network infrastructure, curriculum, and conduct independent research on aiding economic recovery in the tourism and creative economy sectors, he advised.

The minister urged people from tourism universities and related communities to stay optimistic, hopeful, and enthusiastic, and continue to strive, especially since the tourism sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Half of the 34 million people working in the tourism sector and the creative economy are now being laid off or are in danger of losing their jobs," Uno pointed out.

He then asked higher education institutions, especially in the tourism sector, to adapt and make a real contribution to society, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Tourism schools, through their principals, should continue to improve the quality of their collaboration with the business world, industry, government, and other universities to establish innovation in the world of education," Uno said.

Meanwhile, secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, said the ministry is committed to expediting vaccinations for the tourism and creative economy community.

"Please remind your friends, family, staff, and students to always carry out strict health protocols everywhere," Adnyani reiterated.

Head of the Indonesian Tourism Higher Education Institute, Suhendroyono, also invited tourism schools and the community to pray for the recovery of the tourism industry, especially in Indonesia//ANT