REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed hope that all universities in Indonesia would advance innovation to take the people and nation forward.

In his speech on "Innovation and Progress of Nations" to mark the 18th anniversary of Paramadina University here on Wednesday, Kalla emphasized the importance of innovation in the academic process at universities, especially to boost economic growth and create jobs.

The vice president also sought balanced development in Indonesia, and that the Islamic principles taught in the University of Paramadina Indonesia can also be spread and serve as an example for the world.

Kalla has repeatedly highlighted the importance of innovation in the field of education.

While opening the 20th Congress of the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) here on December 11, 2015, Kalla noted that a strong link between engineering and innovation in Indonesia was important in transforming the country's economic, social, and environmental future.

Therefore, he said Indonesia needs to pay greater attention to improving the capability of its local engineers when vibrant, innovative companies working at the leading edge of technology are allowed to develop and prosper.

According to Kalla, innovation is at the heart of what every great engineer does, so finding a balance between solving problems that need to be fixed and being creative in order to do so is an important part of any engineer's life.

"Currently, everyone thinks that engineers in Indonesia are unable to compete with foreign workers. I say they should be able to. As long as they are trying their best, I say there will always be a way," Kalla remarked at the time.

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