One of the issues facing Papua is the role of the regional government that has yet to administer their basic functions well in services, regulations, and empowerment.
Not surprisingly, Papua remains impoverished amidst its abundant natural resources. Even the extra Special Autonomy funds cannot help boost the basic services quality.
Dr. Bambang Purwoko, MA, chairman of Papua Working Unit said the Special Autonomy Funds have been distributed to four areas, education (30%), health (20%), infrastructure and empowerment of society's economy.
"The regional government is seen as unable to serve its residents well. Some students that are funded for studies at higher education and its graduates are not responded well, they remain unemployed, even if they have expertise in computer, geography, etc,” said Bambang in the Seminar themed Spirit of Nationhood and Nationalism to Realise a Progressive and Prosperous Papua at UC UGM,
Bambang Purwoko added in education area, the input to university from secondary level education from Papua is still very low. Without guiding and mentoring in the early stages of higher education, students from Papua often would get frustrated to do their academic duties. Education, in his opinion, is still not a common awareness of Papuan people.
The Seminar is organised by Student Affairs Directorate UGM. As many as 80 students from the most isolated and underdeveloped regions in Indonesia such as Papua and Kalimantan joined the event.
Dr. Senawi, MP, Student Affairs Director, said even before other universities showed their care towards Papua, UGM had long started by accepting Papuan students to study at UGM. UGM has the belief that to be able to progress together, all elements of the state have to go together.
"We instill the love for Indonesia, so a sense of belonging and loving each other will arise, as such they can build Indonesia better,” he said.