RRI.CO.ID, West Bandung — Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving education quality and preparing Indonesia’s youth for global competitiveness. Speaking at the Youth Change Maker Summit held at West Bandung on Thursday, April 30, 2026, she affirmed that programs like SMA Unggul Garuda are central to this transformation.

According to the press release on May 2, 2026, Vice Minister Stella noted that the initiative has significantly increased the number of Indonesian students admitted to top universities worldwide. Data shows a 150% rise in admissions, with Letters of Acceptance (LoA) jumping from 587 in 2025 to 1,567 after the program’s implementation, marking a 167% increase.

This success stems from strategies that strengthen students’ understanding of international selection systems and highlight their potential effectively. Equally important, teacher capacity has been enhanced, particularly in writing credible recommendation letters that meet global standards.

The Vice Minister encouraged young Indonesians to compete healthily and maximize their potential, highlighting that success at world-class universities requires more than academic excellence. Critical thinking, interdisciplinary exploration, and engagement with diverse student communities are vital components of global readiness.

“You are the ones who will lead this nation. Our nation can only progress if we are all willing to compete and strive to maximize our full potential. This is nothing out of the ordinary,” Vice Minister Stella conveyed, as quoted by the press release.

She noted that critical thinking and deep reflection are essential foundations for navigating technological advances like artificial intelligence (AI). This skill, she added, is cultivated through fields such as philosophy and social sciences.

Routine reliance on generative AI can lead to “cognitive debt,” where students lose the habit of deep reflection and problem-solving. A research from Oregon State University in 2026 highlights that while AI can support personalized learning, overreliance risks eroding independent reasoning unless paired with strong fundamental knowledge

Moreover, Vice Minister Stella, concluded by urging youth to treat time as a valuable asset for self-development. By investing in their growth, she said, Indonesia’s young talents can emerge as leaders who drive national progress and compete on the global stage.