RI Memiliki 40 Ribu Peneliti, Industri Diminta Memperbanyak Jumlah Peneliti
RI Memiliki 40 Ribu Peneliti, Industri Diminta Memperbanyak Jumlah Peneliti
YOGYAKARTA – Research, Technology and Higher Learning Minister, Muhammad Nasir, said the Government would encourage the industry sector to multiple the number of researchers in research and development projects. Currently, of all 40 thousands of researchers in Indonesia, only 18 percent work in industry sector while the other 60% at universities and 22 at government’s research institutes. The Minister’s remarks was read out during an event at University Club UGM on Wednesday (4/3).
The government’s concept of National Innovation System states that the industry has the role in producing goods and services with economic value. Thus, they are expected to increase the number of researchers and allocate more budget for R&D.
Nasir revealed Indonesia’s research budget only amounts to as low as 0.08 of the GDP with only 20% coming from the industry sector as opposed to those in advanced countries that account for 75%.
The Minister also expects researchers at universities to lead their research toward resulting products that can be directly used by society and the industry. “It’s time for universities to shift the paradigm from teaching university concept to research university,” he said.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., mentioned the difficulties for universities to downstream research. “There is a gap between universities and industry, they don’t want to pay our research products in full unless there is a government supporting policy,” she said.
Dwikorita said the government need to encourage the industry sector to be able to collaborate with universities in trying to downstreaming research products.
Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X said in his remarks that policy in science and technology and innovation are important and strategic for the regional government to explore potentials in their region. He said regional development no longer relies on natural resources but enhanced human resource. “Strong human resource determines nation’s competitiveness,” he said.