Saifullah Yusuf urges UNP academics to support social protection

Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, has called upon the academic community at Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) to assist in expanding social protection programs. During a public lecture held on October 7, 2026, titled ‘Collaboration of Government and Higher Education in Accelerating Poverty Alleviation and Social Development,’ the Minister emphasized the importance of improving data accuracy to reach underserved populations.

Minister Yusuf outlined a three-pronged approach to addressing poverty: reducing expenditure burdens through social assistance, increasing income via empowerment initiatives, and preventing the intergenerational transmission of poverty through education. He noted that social protection should move beyond mere aid distribution to focus on empowering impoverished families to become self-sufficient.