Coordinating Minister Airlangga Asks Universities To Actively Support Downstream Agenda

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto asked universities to play an active role in supporting the downstream agenda to realize national energy security.

"We must master downstreaming, including mastery of electric vehicle technology, 'microcontroller', IC design, and semiconductor devices," said Airlangga in a discussion entitled "The Role and Opportunities of Campus in the Downstreaming and Realizing Energy Security Agenda", at the Faculty of Engineering UGM, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 4.

The campus, according to Airlangga, should not only be a center for the development of science, but must also be an innovation driving force capable of converting potential resources into value-added products for the community.

According to him, one way to achieve this is to adjust the education curriculum, develop vocational programs, and score graduates who master the latest technology.

In addition, he assessed that policy breakthroughs to increase access to scholarships for students from underprivileged families are also needed, so that more Indonesian children can gain knowledge related to downstreaming, both at home and abroad.

Airlangga emphasized that universities must strengthen synergies with industry and the government to accelerate research development that can support downstreaming and energy security.

Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza said there were still industrial problems in utilizing downstreaming due to limited gas supply.

According to him, the lack of adequate energy has an impact on the competitiveness of the national industry compared to in other countries.

Professor of the Faculty of Engineering UGM Prof. Tumiran added that downstreaming is the key to optimizing Indonesia's mineral resources by utilizing the expertise and knowledge possessed by the nation.

"The question is, what is the strategy to encourage economic growth of up to 8 percent? How is the roadmap? I think downstreaming is the answer," he said.