VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati emphasized that the education sector is the most powerful tool or weapon to transform Indonesia into a more developed, just, and prosperous country.

"Use the knowledge given to change the world, turn Indonesia into a developed, just, prosperous country and have high dignity and civilization," she said in a virtual STAN PKN Graduation Ceremony in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Sri Mulyani stated that a world figure from South Africa, Nelson Mandela, said that education is the most powerful weapon and is very capable of changing the world.

"One of the world figures from South Africa who is the Father of Reconciliation, Nelson Mandela, said that education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world," she said.

Sri Mulyani told 3,231 graduates and PKN STAN graduates, that they were the chosen people who had successfully experienced higher education in Indonesia. This happened because according to her, only nine percent of children in Indonesia can attend university.

"Only nine percent of Indonesians are capable and have the luck to continue their education to the tertiary level. So, you are the elite nine percent," she said.

Therefore, she emphasized that the entire community, including STAN PKN graduates, had the opportunity to feel that universities have an enormous responsibility, namely to change Indonesia for the better.

"This means that you will be required to continue to build and improve our country and nation," she said.

She also advised that the STAN PKN graduates and other students could use their knowledge in order to build Indonesia to be advanced, just, prosperous, and have high dignity and civilization.

The government has allocated 20 percent of the total State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) per year to support the education sector so it can produce agents of change.

"You are given the tools in the form of the best education in the Republic of Indonesia, and even when you study, it is paid by state money. Now you will be required to become agents of change," she said. (Antaranews)