The Government Encourages Universities to Become Motors of Innovation and Regional Development

JAKARTA - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto is encouraging universities to actively collaborate with the industrial sector and local governments as drivers of innovation and regional development.

"If collaboration runs smoothly, every research project, from undergraduate theses to dissertations, can be born from real problems faced by regions and industry," said Mendiktisaintek Brian Yuliarto in a statement quoted by Antara on Wednesday, November 5.

Mendiktisaintek stated that his office is strengthening connections between universities, local governments, and industry.

Through a needs-based approach, he continued, Mendiktisaintek encourages student and lecturer research and scientific work to be directed towards addressing concrete issues in their respective areas.

"The ministry is also open to collaboration between industry and universities, where industry can convey the challenges they face and then find solutions through academic research," said Mendiktisaintek Brian.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Wamendiktisaintek), Stella Christie, added that the increase in research funding is a concrete manifestation of government support for strengthening the quality of research on universities, including private universities and universities in eastern Indonesia.

She stated that the funding is aimed at strengthening research downstreaming and ensuring that research results can be directly utilized by the public and industry.

"The 218 percent increase in research funding demonstrates the government's commitment. Research must have a direct impact, both on improving university quality and regional progress," said Stella.

Meanwhile, regarding governance, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan stated that the ministry is currently restructuring the higher education development system.

This policy, he continued, is expected to make development more effective while encouraging universities to adapt to the needs of the labor market.

"Curriculum transformation is needed so that universities can produce graduates with specific competencies, so they can contribute to national development," said Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan.