Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The forum for university heads of France and Indonesia, having entered its 11th year, prioritizes the advancement of research climate in Indonesia, according to Research and Technology Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro.

Minister Brodjonegoro remarked that the 11th Joint Workshop Group on Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, had emerged as a knowledge-sharing platform for French and Indonesian academics in order to increase the quality of their research.

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"We have to work and learn together with researchers from countries that have advanced in the field," he stated in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Thursday.

He also expressed hope that universities, with strong institutional backgrounds, would deepen their cooperation with France.

The minister also expressed belief that the exchange of knowledge can be a two-way street for both nations.

He believes that deepening cooperation in the field will improve research quality to reach the level of an internationally recognized one. It also encouraged other universities to step up their research in future.

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"It is expected that researchers in Indonesia will not stop at the stage of basic research or application research but strive to expand and become creators of inventions or innovations," he said.

He stated that space for cooperation is open in any field, although he laid focus on science and humanities.

"However, the point is we emphasize on a stronger research climate for higher education in Indonesia," he noted.
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Translator: Abdul Kadir/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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