The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Mission Team—PRIME STeP Project visited UGM, one of Indonesia’s universities, participating in the Science Techno Park (STP) development project.
The ADB expert and Ministry of Education teams visited the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM) on Wednesday (Jun. 26) for the review Mission meeting.
Present at the meeting were the UGM Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Finance, Professor Supriyadi; Fook Yen Chong, Principal Social Sector Specialist (Skills Development) from ADB; and Sutarum Wiryono, Senior Project Officer (Education) from ADB, and ADB consultants.
Also present were teams from the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of National Development Planning; Dr. Hargo Utomo, Director of the Science Techno Park PIU PRIMESTeP UGM; Garin Nugroho, Chief Program Officer at GIK UGM and team; and recipients of Applied Research and Startup Grants from UGM.
During the review session, the ADB team and Project Management Unit (PMU) discussed grant reporting from UGM with the financial team, including innovation grants, startup grants, and tenant grants.
These discussions involved researchers working on Gamagora 7 rice seeds, mental health startups, wise management application startups, and agro-related innovations for bio-fertilizer or smart fertilizer production.
In addition to discussions, the reviewers and the entire team toured several research facilities within UGM. Visits to R&D facilities were conducted at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM) and the PAU UGM Building.
Professor Supriyadi expressed UGM’s pleasure and honor at the ADB and Ministry of Education teams’ visit for the meeting and review. The visit is part of the mission to promote modern and efficient research and innovation at UGM through the PRIME STeP Project.
“We are here together to discuss and reflect on the progress made so far and to plan for our future programs,” he said.
Professor Supriyadi highlighted that the meeting with the ADB reviewers in the GIK UGM building also served as an effort to introduce UGM’s super Creative Hub facilities and melting pot between the campus and industry, GIK UGM.
Built on almost 90,000 square meters, GIK UGM is intended to provide a wide range of services, including support for startups and talent owners. GIK is a prototyping and fabrication space, a networking and event hub, and a research development center.
“GIK UGM also aims to impact the external environment, regenerate urban and rural areas, and act as a beacon for the community,” he added.
Professor Supriyadi regarded the meeting with the ADB and ministries reviewers as a valuable opportunity to review the progress of PRIME STeP implementation at UGM. It allowed everyone to assess achievements, identify challenges, and strategize for the future of the PRIME STeP program at UGM.
“I believe this meeting can ensure that our efforts align with our overarching mission and make a meaningful impact. We all hope that through this meeting, we can develop realistic, well-designed projects and move into the second year of PRIME STeP implementation,” Professor Supriyadi added.
Dr. Hargo Utomo mentioned that the ADB Review Mission Meeting for PRIMEStep aims to accelerate the science technopark. UGM is one of the four universities mandated by the government for this acceleration.
“So, UGM’s Science Techno Park (STP UGM) is pushed to become an innovation engine over the next three years. It is to drive downstream innovation funded by ADB, and this event is a progress report on the innovations developed by UGM and startup developments,” Dr. Utomo said.
He explained that the PRIMEStep program has three main components: accelerating innovation, fostering startup businesses, and strengthening facilitation for technology transfer. These components are the main priorities for UGM activities until 2027.
“Starting last year in 2023, they are our priorities, which continue into 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. The next three years are critical for UGM to demonstrate its capacity as a university with strong R&D capabilities supported by an adequate ecosystem and innovation,” Dr. Utomo explained.
Students, researchers, inventors, and campus staff must synergize to ensure innovation reaches downstream. They are expected to form strong partnerships with industries and communities to support innovation.
“At UGM, we are targeted to deliver at least ten innovations to the public each year. This year, we have to manage 22, and last year we had 10, so by the end of the program, there will be at least 50 innovations delivered,” he stated.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie