Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian ministries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen knowledge-, technology-, and innovation-based rural development.

The MoU was signed by the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in Jakarta on Tuesday, according to a statement received on Thursday.

Director General of Research and Development at the Higher Education Ministry Fauzan Adziman said cross-sector collaboration is needed to connect university research with village development needs.

"This MoU is an important step to ensure research and innovation do not stop at campuses, but serve as solutions for village development and community empowerment," he said.

He explained that the cooperation focuses on three main areas: strengthening village human resources, implementing innovation to meet community needs, and developing assisted villages as spaces for applying research and technology.

Capacity-building efforts will focus on improving the skills of village residents and youth to support sustainable development.

Meanwhile, innovation will be implemented through the use of appropriate technology in sectors such as agriculture, education, food, and the local economy.

Villages will also be developed as living laboratories for universities to apply research tailored to community needs.

"More than inter-institutional cooperation, this partnership is a concrete effort to create relevant and measurable innovation that benefits village communities," he added.

Villages Minister Yandri Susanto said rural areas are now being positioned as new drivers of economic growth and national development.

He emphasized the importance of involving universities and research institutions in delivering practical innovations for village development.

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