Research, Technology and Higher Education minister, Mohamad Nasir, inaugurated St. Paul Catholic University of Indonesia — an amalgamation of St. Paul Teacher Training College and the St. Paul Health Science Academy — on May 26.

The university will be managed by Ruteng Diocese, which covers West Flores in, East Nusa Tenggara province, on Flores, Indonesia's foremost Catholic Island.

Minister Nasir hoped that with the establishment of the university the Catholic Church and local government would pay close attention to the development of education in the region.

"I hope the district head, the bishop and the rector work together to build a good education for our children," he said at the inauguration ceremony.

Central government would encourage the university's development, such as helping children from disadvantaged families get scholarships.

"All our children must get a quality education," he said.

The minister also reminded the bishop, priests, and lecturers, that the university must produce graduates who will promote tolerance and fight extremism.

"The university is our shared place to care for brotherhood in diversity," he said.

Bishop Silvester San, apostolic administrator of Ruteng Diocese said, the university is part of the Church's responsibility to educate future generations and support government programs to improve the quality of human resources.

He also stressed that the university was an integral part of the Church's mission to proclaim the Good News.

The new university has about 4,000 students, 80 percent of whom from disadvantaged families.

Source: ucanews.com