Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has been chosen as a partner in the collaborative program between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology called the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP).
In addition to involving universities and the government, this program also engages the industrial sector, particularly PT Paragon Technology and Innovation.
“Thank you to UGM, Paragon, and others willing to work together to build an entrepreneurship ecosystem. The main principle is to build innovation-based entrepreneurship. Looking at developed countries, campuses must become the engine of growth for economic revitalization and sustainable development,” said the Acting Director General of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, Professor Nizam.
In the MIT REAP workshop on strengthening downstream innovation capacity held on Thursday (Jan. 18) at UGM, Professor Nizam stated that innovation emerging from campuses could solve’ Indonesia’s dependence on imported raw materials and technology. However, synergy from various parties is required to carry out this mission.
“Universities should not and cannot walk alone but should collaborate with industry partners, banks, investors, and successful entrepreneurs who have developed entrepreneurship,” he said.
MIT REAP aims to build a center for innovation ecosystems or technology centers of excellence that serve as a platform for adaptation, research/study, and exchange between the United States and Indonesia.
The mission of this center is to facilitate the growth, equality, and sustainability of industries in Indonesia through various initiatives, including connecting industries and startups in the related sectors, facilitating technology transfer, encouraging research collaboration, creating job opportunities, and shaping a conducive policy ecosystem for industrial development.
The program has been implemented in various countries before. In Indonesia, MIT REAP focuses on biotechnology, health, welfare, and agro-biotechnology innovations.
“This is a synergy to advance, building two excellent centers we hope for in health and agro-biotechnology innovation. Thank you for our coordination and contributions,” said the Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia.
In the meeting, Marina Kusumawardhani, the Project Manager of MIT-REAP Java, provided a brief report on activities that have taken place. Some points discussed include the innovation hub, strengthening partnerships between universities and industries, and collaboration with various stakeholders.