One of the important implications of the implementation of the ASEAN China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) in 2010 is the de-industrialization in Indonesia. The symptoms of de-industrialization in Indonesia has appeared since 2004, where the national industrial growth rate was below the target set by the government which was 2.5% per year. De-industrialization means the decrease of industrial growth in various sectors at relatively the same time or in more straightforward language, the population of companies in the industry is decreasing due to the competition.
Recognizing the importance of improving the competitiveness of Indonesian industry both in the context of ACFTA and global competition, consequently the university that has a strategic resource should play its role and contribute significantly to improve the competitiveness of Indonesian industries, thus put a halt to the de-industrialization.
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), as the leading Indonesian universities, through its Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) is committed to continue to conduct industry research cooperation with various groups to strengthen the competitiveness of national industry. This is implemented with cooperation in the form of mutually beneficial partnership based on the principle of co-sharing and co-creation which is the UGM National Main Strategic Research (UGM RUSNAS 2010). The program itself involves no less than 30 (thirty) industry research collaborations worth three billion Rupiah, supported by 50 UGM researchers and 30 industry.
The purpose of industry research collaboration of UGM RUSNAS 2010 is to provide solutions to company problems in the strategic industrial sectors (Food Security, Health and Drugs, New and Renewable Energy Resources, Technology and Transportation Management, Information and Communications Technology as well as Defense and Security Technology), and supporting the national industrial policy to enhance industrial competitiveness in the context of ACFTA and global competition.
As the pinnacle of the series industry research collaboration of UGM RUSNAS 2010 event, LPPM supported by the Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Industry, Chamber of Commerce and JICA held The 2nd Indonesia Industry Research Forum (The 2nd IIRF) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Jakarta on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The event was attended by not less than 210 participants, including researchers, decision makers, policy makers, as well as policy makers from government, industry, universities as well as national and international institutions.
Present on the occasion, Secretary of Higher Education Directorate General of Ministry of National Education, Ir. Harris Iskandar, Ph.D., Chief of BPKIMI Ministry of Industry, Ir. Arryanto Sagala, Head of BRPI Ministry of Research and Technology, Dr. Teguh Raharjo, Representative of JICA Mr. Kiichi Tomiya, Chairman of KADIN, Suryo Bambang Sulisto, Chairman of LPPM UGM, Prof. Dr.Techn. Ir. Danang Parikesit, M. Sc, and the Rector of UGM Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D.
The 2nd IIRF 2010 series of event presented UGM RUSNAS Chief Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Mudrajad Kuncoro, M. Soc. Sc, on National Industrial Research Policy, Head of the Center for Technology Assessment and HKI BPK IMI of Ministry of Industry, Muhammad Setiono, on National Industrial Research and Development Policy. This was continued by Head of BRPI of the Ministry for Research and Technology, Dr. Teguh Raharjo and followed by 6 parallel sessions on strategic research areas.
The commission meeting featured the exposure of each field, presenting speakers to talk about Information and Communication Technology from Ministry of Communication and Information's Head of Research and Development, Akman Amir and Ir. Lukito Edi Nugroho, M. Sc., Ph. D.; New and Renewable Energy Resources: The Center for Renewable Energy Electrical Research and Development technology, Kusuryani and Dr. Ing. Ir. Kusnanto, Technology and Transport Management: Head of Planning and Evaluation Ministry of Transportation, Drs. Edward Marpaung, MM and Ir. Heru Sutomo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Division of Defense and Security Technology: The Center for Ministry of Defense, Dr. Timbul Siahaan and Ir. Alva Edy Tontowi, M. Sc., Ph. D., Division of Health and Medicine: Ministry of Health's Head of Research and Development, Dr. dr. Trihono, M.Sc. and Prof. dr. Iwan Dwi Prahasto, M. Med.Sc., Ph.D., and representing the Ministry of Agriculture's Head of Research and Development: Dr. Ir. Muhamad Sabran and Prof. Dr. Ir. Endang Sutriswati Rahayu, M. S. The 2nd IIRF 2010 also showed a number of posters and prototypes of the UGM scientists research results in the program UGM RUSNAS 2010.
Through such research forums, more frequent interactions can be expected between the stakeholders in the scheme of University - Industry - Government research collaboration in realizing the useful and beneficial results of research to encourage the growth of national industries in the era of free trade.