Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Professor Ova Emilia, stated that universities must begin promoting the downstreaming and industrialization of research and innovation outcomes to enhance domestic value creation in pursuit of Indonesia Emas 2045. According to her, higher education institutions hold a strategic role as accelerators of innovation, not merely as centers for publication.
“We must move beyond the culture of teaching alone toward cultivating teaching, research, and innovation cultures,” said Professor Emilia during the Pemikiran Bulaksumur Forum discussion titled “Strategies to Accelerate Indonesia’s Technological Independence,” held recently at UGM’s Central Office.
She noted that UGM continues to strengthen its innovation governance to ensure that research produces prototypes, policy recommendations, and commercial products with tangible social impact.
Professor I Ketut Adnyana, Director of Research and Community Service at the Directorate General of Research and Development, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, stated that Indonesia still lags in mastering science and technology, even though only nations that excel in these areas can prosper.
According to Professor Adnyana, the Directorate General of Research and Development operates two main programs: the State Budget–funded Priority Research Program and the Strategic Research Program from LPDP, both of which aim to strengthen national research capacity.
He encouraged UGM, as one of Indonesia’s leading universities, to actively participate in strategic research so that its outcomes can contribute to advancing industry and shaping national policy.
The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Fitri Trapsilawati, featured five experts from various UGM disciplines. Professor Alva Edy Tontowi, the first panelist, emphasized the need to harmonize regulation, innovation, and market demands, ensuring that university research aligns with industrial needs.
Next, Professor Deendarlianto stresses the importance of developing renewable energy based on regional potential and improving the quality of national energy human resources.
Still on the same forum, from the field of food security, Professor Siti Subandiyah explained that biotechnology plays a vital role in strengthening food resilience but remains constrained by limited research funding and laboratory facilities.
From the industrial perspective, Didik Purbandi, President Director of PT Jababeka Infrastruktur, underlined the importance of developing Smart Industrial Estates 4.0 to accelerate economic transformation and create quality employment opportunities.
Concluding the expert session, Professor Sang Kompiang emphasized the importance of fostering an innovative culture and promoting active communication among universities, industry, and society.
He asserted that research downstreaming can be realized through practical efforts such as industrial licensing, strategic partnerships, and innovation-based campus spin-offs, even though these entail higher risks.
The forum ultimately emphasized a unified message: that national technological independence can only be achieved through continuous synergy among research, industry, and innovation-oriented policies.
Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya