"I hope that leading institutes of higher learning will collaborate with the government or other partners in the future to produce the so-called green transportation or green cars," the President said.
He said green cars were a solution to the problem of uncertain global crude oil prices.
"So that in 10 or 15 years this nation will not be affected by global oil price upheavals," the President said.
The development of an environmentally friendly and efficient transportation system served as the answer to global challenges such as energy crises and climate change, he noted.
The move was part of a preventive effort so Indonesia would always be prepared to face any global oil price upheavals, he added.
"A nation that is not prepared will lose to other nations," he said.
Among the rectors present were Ahmaloka of the Bandung-based Institute of Technology (ITB), Triyogi Yuwono of the Surabaya-based 10 November Institute of Technology (ITS), Gumilar Ruslima Soemantri of University of Indonesia (UI) and Sudjarwady of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
At the meeting, the President was accompanied by Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Education and Culture Minister M. Nuh, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, and Research and Technology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta.
Earlier in the day, the President received a Nissan-Renault delegation led by Carlos Ghosn.
Minister Hidayat said Nissan-Renault had expressed keen interest in helping Indonesia develop green cars.
(T.G003*D013/KR-BSR/INE/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
