“Every nation aspires to achieve prosperity, and Indonesia is no exception. Each nation has a single opportunity to attain prosperity, which occurs during the peak of the demographic bonus when the productive-age population reaches its zenith. This opportunity will come to Indonesia between 2030 and 2035. Why is the productive age significant? Because it is the age group that generates income. Failing to capitalize on this opportunity will keep us as a middle-income country indefinitely,” stated Ir. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, CHFC., CLU, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, during a Distinguished Guest Speaker (DGS) seminar at UPH.

As an educational institution, universities play an essential role in shaping the younger generation into future leaders. This is the commitment of Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), which aims to educate young individuals with high integrity, transformative capabilities, and noble character. UPH’s commitment is reflected in its initiatives to inspire young minds, such as the DGS seminar featuring Ir. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, CHFC., CLU, the Minister of Health, and Dr. Sandiaga S. Uno, B.B.A., M.B.A., the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy

The seminar took place on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the Grand Chapel of UPH Lippo Village Campus, Tangerang, as part of the UPH Festival 2023 activities to welcome new students for the Academic Year 2023/2024. Through this seminar, UPH aimed to broaden the horizons of the new students through presentations by both speakers.

UPH Rector Dr. (Hon.) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc., said, “I hope that what Minister Budi has shared will bless and inspire our new students. This seminar is also intended to prepare them to start thinking about transformative leadership.”

In his presentation, Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that education is a crucial element in advancing a nation. He explained that a country can be considered advanced when its per capita income exceeds US$12,500. Currently, Indonesia is categorized as an upper-middle-income country with a per capita income of US$4,700. Budi highlighted that Indonesia’s opportunity to become an advanced nation will be realized during the demographic bonus period between 2030 and 2035, when the percentage of the productive-age population in Indonesia will be at its highest.

“The more productive people we have, the more economic growth we can achieve. The next seven to twelve years are the most critical in Indonesia’s history. To reach a per capita income of US$12,500, we need to prioritize two sectors in the next ten years: education and health,” Budi stated.

Budi expressed his hope that UPH’s new students would contribute to making Indonesia an advanced nation. He encouraged them to first study the shifting economic patterns and changes in the way of life, particularly in technology and industry. Second, he urged them to actively build relationships both on and off campus. Third, he encouraged them to be energetic individuals with clear life goals.

In conclusion, Budi said, “Congratulations to UPH and Mr. Parapak for the dedication to educating the young people of Indonesia because I believe, if you want one year of prosperity, you grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, you grow trees. But if you want 100 years of prosperity, you grow people.”

Advancing the Tourism and Creative Economy Sector
In a video message for the students, Sandiaga Uno emphasized that the era of the 4.0 industrial revolution requires individuals to adapt rapidly to change. This change involves not only how to harness technology but also engaging communities in various aspects of life. He explained that one sector involving a substantial portion of the population is tourism, with 22.9 million workers, and the creative economy, with 23.9 million workers.
Moreover, the UPH Doctor of Management alumnus from the Class of 2020 stated, “Congratulations to UPH for organizing UPH Festival 2023. I hope that the entire UPH community can actively participate in this (tourism and creative economy) sector because there is a significant opportunity for innovation and joint efforts to advance Indonesia towards a brighter future.”

Transforming Indonesia’s Healthcare System
In addition to the DGS seminar, the Minister of Health also provided inspirational messages to students at UPH’s Faculty of Medicine and Nursing. During his session, Budi emphasized that transforming the healthcare system is essential to making Indonesia an advanced nation. He observed that Indonesia’s healthcare service system tends to focus on treating the sick, which he believed needed to be changed to ensure that the population remains healthy. In this regard, Budi commended UPH’s Faculty of Medicine for introducing the Family Medicine Specialist Education Program (PPDS KKLP).
Budi added that the Ministry of Health is committed to transforming the healthcare system in Indonesia through six pillars. First, transforming primary care by educating the population, enhancing primary prevention through routine immunizations, secondary prevention through screening for the 14 leading causes of death at each age, and improving the capacity and capability of primary care services. Second, transforming referral services by improving access and quality of care. Third, enhancing the health resilience system through strengthening the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors and bolstering emergency response resilience.
Fourth, transforming healthcare financing by establishing fair and sustainable regulations. Fifth, transforming human resources by increasing student quotas, offering scholarships domestically and internationally, and simplifying the recognition of foreign healthcare graduates. Sixth, transforming healthcare technology through the development and utilization of digital and biotechnology in the healthcare sector.

UPH Festival 2023: Godly Transformational Leadership
“Godly Transformational Leadership” is the theme of UPH Festival this year. This theme aims to motivate new students to prepare for becoming future leaders through the holistic and transformative education they receive at UPH. It also reflects UPH’s commitment to providing a platform for students to pursue their callings and become transformative agents, starting from their time at the university.
Through the DGS seminar and the entire UPH Festival program, it is evident that UPH is committed to equipping students from the beginning of their university journey with high-quality events. During their academic journey, UPH students receive the best education through relevant curricula, competent faculty, and comprehensive facilities. All students are prepared to achieve the highest standards and become outstanding graduates who make a real impact on Indonesia. UPH is ready to be the place where students transform into excellent leaders capable of bringing about change.

About UPH
Established in 1994, UPH consistently makes a positive impact on the nation and the country through excellent, holistic, and transformative higher education. UPH is committed to producing competent and professional leaders equipped with true knowledge, faith in Christ, and godly character. UPH continues to expand its horizons through collaborations with universities from various countries to stay up to date with advancements in the field of education.
Similarly, UPH has partnerships with the industrial sector, both domestically and internationally, providing graduates with opportunities to enter the workforce. With campuses located in Tangerang, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, UPH offers 64 study programs with relevant curricula and highly competent faculty members. To date, UPH has produced over 50,000 graduates serving in various fields and acting as agents of change for the nation and the country.