Professor of Fisheries and Marine Sciences IPB University Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri was a resource person at the Sharing Session of Experts organized by the Association of Indonesian Postgraduate Students and Scholars in Australia (AIPSSA) with the theme “Optimizing the role of the Indonesian Diaspora in national development towards a Golden Indonesia 2045”.

The sharing session was held at the University of Western Australia Campus, Perth, Australia, Friday (19/4/2024). AIPSSA is the Association of Indonesian Postgraduate Students and Scholars in Australia.

In his presentation, Professor of Marine Affairs and Fisheries at IPB University Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri, said that there are four roles that the Indonesian diaspora must play. First, become the best students and graduates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.) by mastering knowledge, knowledge, technology, and work ethics that should be applied and practiced in Indonesia.

“Second, develop international cooperation, especially with Australia, in the fields of science and technology, innovation, arts and culture, etc.,” said Prof.

Rokhmin presented a paper entitled “Opimizing the Roles of Indonesian Diaspora in National Development Towards a Golden Indonesia 2045”.

Third, inviting (bringing) FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in various development (economic) sectors to Indonesia to encourage inclusive, environmentally friendly and sustainable economic growth, create good jobs and improve people’s welfare.

“Fourth, provide constructive criticism, suggestions and recommendations to the Indonesian Government for the sake of Indonesia’s progress,” he said.

On this occasion, Prof. Rokhmin also revealed that over the last 10 years, Indonesia’s economic growth has stagnated at around 5%, still far from Indonesia’s true economic potential.

“This is because economic growth is very dominantly dependent on household consumption or public spending, around 56%,” said Prof. Rokhmin quoted Prof. Chatib Basri (2024).

Prof. Rokhmin emphasized that to realize Golden Indonesia 2045, Indonesia’s economic growth in 2019 – 2024 should be around 6 – 7 percent per year. This economic growth figure can be achieved with an investment contribution to GDP of 41 – 48 percent.

“Unfortunately, the contribution of investment to GDP has now only reached 35% (Prof. Chatib Basri, 2024). “This is because Indonesia’s ICOR is still too high, aka it is inefficient (expensive) and ineffective,” said Prof.

Rokhmin is also the general chairman of the Indonesian Aquaculture Society (MAI). This Sharing Session was attended by 40 Doctoral Program (S3) and Master’s Program (S2) students from various institutions in Indonesia (such as BRIN, UNAND, UNIBRAW, UNPAD, UPI Bandung, UNDANA, Atma Jaya University Jogyakata, Coordinating Ministry for PMK, Ministry Empowerment of Women and Children, WWF Indonesia, and South Tangerang City Government, who are studying at UWA (University of Western Australia, and Curtin University. Apart from that, 3 lecturers from UWA were also present.