YOGYAKARTA – Who says that research conducted by Indonesian students are less competitive than that in other countries? Undergraduate research can even be made the topic of dissertation of doctoral degree and even produce innovations that are useful for community. Unfortunately, many researches are only prerequisites to get a certificate and work. Even worse, the job they get is different from their subject of study. “We have many smart students, but this is not adequate to produce many innovations if they don’t get involved and continue their research,” said Chairman of Central Indonesian Scientists and Technologists Society (MITI), Dr. Warsito P Taruno, in the seminar entitled Building Innovative Human Resource towards Indonesia 2025 in Graduate School on Saturday (22/9).
Warsito gave example that one of his students at a well-known state university had succeeded developing 4D scanning technology by using curvy wave that can observe brain activity in real time, even observe cancer in the body. “Through electric magnet, such technology can dissolve cancerous cells through the making of capacitor suit,”
Warsito said that he had offered the student to continue his education abroad. But the student rejected this as he preferred to get a job immediately. “Later he opted to work in a bank and did not follow up his research,” said Warsito.
According to Warsito, the indiscipline of researchers have made innovations unbalanced. In order to be able to produce innovations, he gave tips to researchers, First, don’t be stingy, second, don’t ever want to get rich fast, and third, don’t get satisfied easily. To be able to make an innovation, one has to have ideas and dare to fund them. Innovation is a process, therefore, don’t think to sell it but use the research funding as investment to make the product perfect. “No less important is 'don’t get satisfied easily',” he said.
Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc., Sc., said that innovation not only requires knowledge but also innovative behaviour, “the stance to make a breakthrough and the not easily satisfied point of view,” he said.
Innovative behaviour cannot be produced if there is no opportunity, so cultural condition, more egalitarian social relations will trigger innovative spirit on campus. The things that are equally important are financial support, infrastructure and reward.