Minister calls universities' collaboration with industry, regions

[hartono]

Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto. ANTARA/Andi Firdaus/pri.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto called on universities to actively collaborate with industry and regional governments as the driving force of innovation and regional development.

"If collaboration proceeds well, every piece of research, from undergraduate theses to dissertations, can originate from real problems faced by regions and industry," he said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Yuliarto stated that his ministry is currently strengthening the connection between universities, regional governments, and industry.

Through a needs-based approach, he continued, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is encouraging research and scientific work by students and lecturers to be directed toward addressing concrete problems around them.

"The ministry is also opening up collaboration between industry and universities, where industry can convey the challenges they face, which can then be addressed through academic research," the minister added.

Furthermore, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie added that the increase in research funding is a tangible form of government support for strengthening the quality of research by universities, including private universities and those in the eastern regions of Indonesia.

According to her, the funds are directed towards strengthening research downstreaming and ensuring that research results can be directly utilized by the community and industry.

"The up to 218 percent increase in research funding is a manifestation of the government's attention. Research must have a direct impact, both on improving universities' quality and on regional progress," Christie stated.

Meanwhile, regarding governance, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan affirmed that the ministry is currently reorganizing the university development system.

This, he noted, is aimed at making university development more effective while at the same time encouraging universities to adapt to job market needs.

"Transforming the curriculum is necessary so that universities can produce graduates with specific competencies, enabling them to contribute to national development," Fauzan remarked.

Minister calls universities' collaboration with industry, regions

Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto called on universities to actively collaborate with industry and regional governments as the ...

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