Jakarta (ANTARA) - An official with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has underlined the importance of collaboration between academia and the industry to expedite efforts to make the nation's health industry independent and resilient.

"Through the Kedaireka platform, we are trying to connect the need or problems within the industry with innovations at universities," Nizam said in a written statement released here on Monday.

Collaboration between campuses and the industry is currently a necessity, he observed. This collaboration could produce various innovations that could resolve people's problems, he added.

The research potential and capability within universities could help the research and development process carried out by the industry, he said.

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Not all industries have the capability to carry out research and development, he pointed out. In addition, a collaboration between campuses and the industry could reduce research costs, he said.

"Campuses have laboratories that the industry could utilize. Industry players will not have to commit to an expensive investment to conduct research," he remarked.

However, collaborations between campuses and the industry will require commitment and trust between the parties, he highlighted. Without them, collaboration would never happen, he said.

Hence, to facilitate the creation of a collaboration between universities and the industry, the ministry will provide a Matching Fund, he said.

"Every rupiah spent by the industry will be compensated by the Matching Fund with the same amount," Nizam elaborated.

He said the ministry is also committed to increasing budget allocations to expedite the collaboration between campuses and the industry for strengthening innovation.

Earlier, on a separate occasion, Nizam had said that many graduates from the Bangkit (Revive) program, a career readiness program that connects universities with the industry, are now working in multi-national corporations.

"Which is why you should not miss the opportunity to participate in this program," he affirmed.

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Translator: Indriani, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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