President Jokowi breaks ground for Gunadarma University Building II in Nusantara

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officiated the groundbreaking of Gunadarma University’s Building II in the buffer area of the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara in East Kalimantan on Thursday.

Jokowi remarked that the presence of higher education institutions at IKN can contribute to developing the quality of human resources in the region.

“Gunadarma University is not a small university. Their students are around 42 thousand. That is a big number,” he noted on the sidelines of the event.

Construction of the Building II Nusantara Campus of Gunadarma University is located around the IKN border in North Penajam Paser District, spanning five hectares.

The campus complements Building I of the four-story Gunadarma University. The building is currently being used by around 200 first-year students.

Jokowi remarked that the second building will be used as a lecture hall, lab rooms, faculty offices, and student activity spaces.

“For this year, Gunadarma University at IKN has 200 students. For next year, the number is estimated to increase to 700 students,” he stated.

He invited all elements of the Gunadarma academic community to continue to support the development of quality human resources not only in IKN but also in other cities in Indonesia.

“I advise local governments to continue to motivate their younger generation to pursue education and learn new skills that will be useful and needed when the IKN is operating,” Jokowi remarked.

On the occasion, Gunadarma Rector Professor Margianti stated that Building II of Gunadarma University was the 14th campus building built by Gunadarma in Indonesia.

“Gunadarma was established in 1981. It is now 42 years old, with 51 faculties,” she remarked.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to Gunadarma to support higher education in the IKN area.