Jayapura – Cenderawasih University’s (Uncen) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) anthropology department is calling for a cultural approach to developing Papua. According to Dean Dr. Marlina Flassy, the university’s anthropological research – focusing on Papuan culture, languages, and environments – can be incredibly valuable to the government.

Dr. Flassy believes that Uncen’s research should be actively used to inform government development programs, especially considering Papua’s diverse cultures. She emphasized the need to involve various stakeholders – including religious groups, traditional leaders, and policymakers – to ensure research findings translate into practical solutions.

Uncen’s Vice Rector III, Dr. Septinus Saa, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the department’s responsibility to conduct research that strengthens scientific knowledge and contributes to Papua’s development. The goal is to use research not just for academic purposes, but to directly address future challenges and opportunities within the region.