Indonesia to Engage Universities in Giant Seawall Project Along Java’s Northern Coast
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia is set to involve leading universities in the development of a major coastal protection initiative, as President Prabowo Subianto directed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to integrate academic expertise into the giant seawall project along the northern coast of Java.
Minister Brian Yuliarto said following a high-level meeting at the Presidential Palace on Monday that several professors with expertise in land development, reclamation, and related infrastructure projects would be invited next week to contribute to the initiative.
He noted that these experts will collaborate with the North Java Coast Management Authority, led by Vice Admiral (Ret.) Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, forming part of the broader project team.
The minister подчеркed that the giant seawall is a strategic infrastructure undertaking aimed at safeguarding approximately 60 percent of industrial zones and more than 30 million residents living along Java’s northern coastline.
“Numerous research findings from universities have already been tested, including successful examples in Demak and Semarang. Researchers whose work can support faster and more efficient development are being invited to participate,” Yuliarto said.
Earlier on Monday, President Prabowo chaired a meeting focused on accelerating the project’s implementation. The session was attended by senior officials, including Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and project authority head Didit Herdiawan Ashaf.
According to images released by the Presidential Secretariat, the meeting also reviewed water modeling presentations of Jakarta Bay, illustrating projected conditions before and after the construction of the seawall.
The initiative underscores Indonesia’s commitment to leveraging academic research and technological innovation to strengthen climate resilience and protect critical coastal infrastructure.
