Minister urges youth to lead science-based innovation

hartono · Apr 26, 2026

A student demonstrates how a robotic finger innovation works during the Technology and Education Expo at the Samantha Krida Building, Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, on Thursday (22/1/2026). (ANTARA FOTO/ARI BOWO SUCIPTO)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto called the nation’s younger generation to lead a science-based innovation movement to navigate the challenges of global technological disruption and economic volatility.

He noted that while the global landscape is shifting rapidly, these disruptions offer a unique window for Indonesia to build a modern industrial foundation.

"Moving forward, business, enterprise, and innovation in Indonesia cannot succeed without science and technology. Therefore, we must strengthen our research and technology," he remarked in a statement on Sunday.

However, he also highlighted a persistent obstacle: the low proportion of highly educated professionals currently employed within the country's industrial workforce.

This disparity has historically slowed the nation’s ability to transition into high-value, technology-driven sectors.

To address this, Yuliarto identified students and university alumni as the strategic backbone of a national economic transformation.

He asserted that the higher education experience must be utilized to foster the courage needed to develop practical solutions rather than just theoretical knowledge.

According to the Minister, only those innovators who successfully master research-backed technology will remain resilient and competitive in the face of intensifying international competition.

A key component of this national strategy involves deepening the collaboration between academia and the private sector.

Yuliarto stressed the necessity of a sustainable ecosystem where top-tier university talent is directly involved in industrial research and adaptation.

By expanding this model, the government hopes to accelerate the growth of more science-based industries across the archipelago.

He concluded by commending national companies that have already embraced research-based adaptation, viewing their success as a blueprint for the country’s broader economic goals.

Translator: Sean Filo, Raka AdjiEditor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono Copyright © ANTARA 2026