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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged local universities to get out of their comfort zones and dare to compete through innovation amid the government’s plan to allow foreign universities to operate in the country.

Jokowi said Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir had proposed the idea of welcoming foreign universities to increase competition. However, Jokowi said he had not yet given his approval.

“I said not now. Let us talk about it with the rectors. If [universities] do not want to change then we will let [foreign universities] operate,” he said while opening the 20th Indonesian Rector Forum in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Thursday.

He acknowledged that universities are of varying quality depending on the challenges it faces, while the presence of foreign competitors could bolster and accelerate improvement.

The president added that if universities did not want the government to take up the option, then it must innovate and develop its educational capabilities.

“Don’t get stuck with routines, new methods must be developed. The desire for students and lectures to innovate must be boosted and facilitated,” Jokowi added.